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LIFE 



Mrs. VIRGINIA HALE HOFFMAN, 



LATE OF 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL MISSION 



WESTERN AFRICA. 



BY THE 



REV. GEORGE D? CUMMINS, D.D, 

RECTOR OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, BALTIMORE, MD. 




PHILADELPHIA : 
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 

1859. 



3 V 35.1-2, 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year IS 58, by 

LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

STEREOTYPED BY J. FAG AX PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON. 



TO 



MY BELOVED BROTHER, 

THE REV. CADWALADER COLDEN HOFFMAN, 

TO WHOM IT HAS BEEN GIVEN, FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS. 

TO PREACH AMONG- THE HEATHEN THE '-'UNSEARCHABLE 

RICHES OF CHRIST;" WHOSE PATHWAY IN LIFE 

WAS ILLUMINED BY THE FAITH AND HOPE 

OF ONE WHOSE LIFE, HID "WITH CHRIST 

IN GOD," GREW BRIGHTER AND 

BRIGHTER, EVEN TO THE 

PERFECT DAY, THIS 

Imperfect f fltinuto at ps Mwtib Wilt 

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 



(iii) 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



The writer of the following pages is deeply 
sensible how imperfectly they portray the 
character of her whose life is there sketched. 
The work has occupied the morning hours 
of a summer recreation, while the author 
was seeking rest and refreshment from ex- 
hausting labors amid the quiet scenes of the 
country. It has been a labor of love to re- 
vive and deepen the memories of the past 
connected with one whose friendship was 
prized as one of life's most precious bless- 
ings. Never has it been his lot to meet on 
earth a more lovely specimen of saintliness. 
or a life that reflected more of the image of 
Jesus. That these pages will leave upon the 
mind of the reader as deep an impression 
concerning their subject as that of the writer, 

(v) 



VI PREFATORY NOTE. 

it were too much, to expect. All that is 
claimed for her is, not a place by the side of 
brilliant or gifted heroines, but among the 
holy and the humble-hearted who sit with 
Mary at Jesus' feet; not a name on the page 
of history that records the genius of Madame 
de Stael, or the more unenviable fame of 
Lady Blessington ; but a place in the Lamb's 
Book of Life, along with the saintly ones 
whose graves lie among the heathen, for 
whose salvation their lives were spent. 

Baltimore. Md., December 13th, 1858. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 

PAGE 

" She hath done what she could" — Woman's indebt- 
edness to Christianity — Her position in Greece and 
Rome — in Heathen Lands now — Elevated by the 
Gospel to her rightful rank — Christianity's indebt- 
edness to Woman — Eunice, Lois, Phoebe, Monica, 
Catharine the Alexandrine Martyr, Hannah Moore, 
the mother of Doddridge, Elizabeth Fry, the mo- 
ther of Mills, of Lyman, Harriet Newell, Anne Hazel- 
tine Judson — Mrs. Hoffman's birth — Recollections 
of her childhood — Her Mother's piety — Early left 
an Orphan 17 

CHAPTER II. 

THE NEW BIRTH. 

Characteristics of her Childhood — No early Religious 
development — Removal to Norfolk — Religious in- 
fluences surrounding her there — Confirmation at the 
age of fifteen — First Communion — Growth in grace 

— Maturity of Christian character .. 4 28 

(viij 



Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER III. 

a missionary's life chosen 

Interest in Missions to the Heathen — Her decision — 
Struggles with herself — Opposition from Friends — 
Her departure postponed by the decision of her Guar- 
dian — Cheerful acquiescence — Her active life in 
the Church in Norfolk — The Sunday School— Parish 
School — Visiting the Poor — Ladies' Praying Circle, 33 

CHAPTER IV. 

HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 

1849-50 41 

CHAPTER V. 
hope's fr uition. 

Arrival of Rev. Mr. Hoffman from Africa — Her mar- 
riage — Departure for the North — Letter to one of 
her Sunday Scholars — - An unexpected visit of a day 
to Norfolk — Farewell Missionary Meeting in Balti- 
more 50 

CHAPTER VI. 

OUTWARD BOUND. 

The Protestant Episcopal Mission in Western Africa — 
Life at Sea — A Storm — Duties on board Ship — Day- 
School and Sunday-School among the Emigrants — 
Studying Grebo — Sunday Services — A Sunset at 
Sea — Messengers from Land — " The Haven where 
they would be" 57 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX 
CHAPTER VII. 

A NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 

The Kroomen — On Shore — Beauty of the Country — 
" A Paradise but for Sin " — Sinoe — Cape Palmas — 
Bev. Mr. Hening's home at Mount Hope — Visit from 
him — At Gov. Bussworm's — "Bridal Calls" — 
Visit to Mount Vaughan — Meeting with Bev. Mr. 
Payne — Visit to Bocktown — Boads to Cavalla — 
Kardi's wife 64 

CHAPTEB VIII. 

HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

Reception at Cavalla — Description of the Mission House 
— A happy Home — Daily Life and Duties — Study 
of the Grebo — Longings to begin her work among 
the Natives — Laying of the corner-stone of the 
Church of the Epiphany 71 

CHAPTEB IX. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA CONTINUED. 

Letters to a Friend at home — A Baptism — Heathen 
Marriage customs — Bev. Mr. Payne's return to the 
United States, to be consecrated Bishop — Mr. Hoff- 
man's duties — Acclimation — Native African mode 
of Warfare — A " Palaver "— Bell for Church of the 
Epiphany — Sassa-wood — Beauties of Nature, and 
Heathen vileness 80 



X TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER X. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 

First Letters from Home — Foliage and Flowers of 
Africa — Hope for Africa — Her Sun will yet Rise — 
The African Fever — Weeks of Sickness — U. S. 
Ships John Adams and Germantown — Kindness of 
the Officers — Rejoicing over the work of Grace among 
the Colored People in Norfolk — Her Birth-day — 
Restoration to health — Visits with Mr. H. among 
the Natives — "Babe," the Leper — Translations 
from the Scriptures into Grebo 89 

CHAPTER XI. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. CONTINUED. 

The New Year — Good health — Joyful entrance upon 
active duties — In School — Funeral of Menu — 
Schools in Native Towns — Return of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hening to the United States — His Blindness — Her 
death at Norfolk — Longings for Bishop Payne's re- 
turn — Growth of Mrs. Hoffman's spiritual life — "A 
life hid with Christ in God " — Peaceful death of a 
Native Christian 99 

CHAPTER XII. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 

A Day of Gladness — • Arrival of the Bishop — Plans for 
enlarging the Missionary work — Mr. Rogers and 
Miss Colquhoun — Adoption of views of Christ's Se- 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI 

cond Coming — ■ Arrival of the U. S. brig Perry — 
Visit of the Commander to Cavalla — Second Anni- 
versary of her Marriage — Christ becoming more 
precious — Realizing the blessedness of being "in 
Christ " — Reflections on her Birth-day — " Busy " in 
her work for Christ — Five years under Christ's ban- 
ner 110 



CHAPTER XIII. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 

Bright Prospects — St. Mark's Church at Cape Palmas 
— First Confirmation in the Mission, on Christmas 
Day, 1852 — Visit to the Brig Perry — Return of 
Sickness — Arrival of new Missionaries — Death of 
Mrs. Scott 123 



CHAPTER XIV. 

"FAINT, YET PURSUING." 

Birth of " Little Kate " — Departure of Mrs. Payne 
and MissWilliford for the United States— Mrs. Hoff- 
man's new duties — Joyful Tidings from Home — In- 
terest in the Gospel among the Grebos — Thanksgiv- 
ing Day — Loss of Friends at Norfolk — Her Reflec- 
tions — Precious Hopes in Christ 134 



Xll TABLE OP CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER XV. 

HOMEWARD BOUND. 

Failing Health — Need of Relaxation — Compelled by 
Sickness to leave — Arrival of Eight Missionaries 

— Embarking in the Banshee for Rio de Janeiro — 
At Rio, sailing in the Indus for the United States — 
Safe Arrival at Norfolk in April — Joyful Meetings — 
Apathy of the Church at Home towards the great 
Work of Missions to the Heathen — Depressing to 

the Missionaries — Ideal of a Missionary Church.... 141 

CHAPTER XVI. 

A TEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

Mr. Hoffman acting as Agent for the Foreign Commit- 
tee — Visit to Goshen — Death of her Grandmother 

— Good News from Africa — Illness of her Sister — 
Return of Mrs. Payne to Africa — Miss Alley and 
Rev. Robert Smith — in Albany — Return to Nor- 
folk — Visit to Richmond — Washington and the Se- 
minary near Alexandria — Sad Fears of Detention in 
this Country — Relieved — The Reproach to the 
Church of a lack of Missionary Funds 147 

CHAPTER XVII. 

RETURN TO AFRICA. 

Embarkation in the Cora, in Hampton Roads — Last 
Farewell to America — Miss Williford. — Letters — 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. X11I 

Duties on Shipboard — Sketch of the Mission since 
Mrs. Hoffman's Departure from it — Monrovia — 
Bassa — Mr. Gibson — Two native Africans Ordained 
— Deaths of Miss Smith, of Dr. Steele, of Rev. G. 
W. Home, and of R,ev. Robert Smith — Return of 
Rev. Mr. Wright — The Missionaries remaining un- 
moved by all these sorrows 162 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A NEW HOME. 

At Monrovia — The United States Ship Dale — Arrival 
at Cavalla — Tokens of God's Blessing upon the La- 
bors of the Mission — Mrs. Hoffman's joy 180 



CHAPTER XIX. 

A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 

The Bishop's Narrative — Rev. Robert Smith's Death 
the Instrument in God's Hand 189 

CHAPTER XX. 

LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

Change in the Heathen — Their Eagerness to hear the 
Gospel — The Convocation at Rocktown — Its Memo- 
rable Results 198 



XIV TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER XXI. 

LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. CONTINUED. 

The Home at Roektown — Regular Duties — More 
Blessings — Severe Sickness — Illness of "Little 
Kate" — A primitive Agapa, or Love-Feast — Sad 
Tidings from Norfolk — Death, of her Sister — Her 
Reflections upon this Event — Progress of the Work 
of Christ among the Natives — An Incident in Hea- 
then Life 205 

CHAPTER XXII. 

GATHERING CLOUDS. 

Life's Sands running rapidly out — Illness in October 

— Removal to the Orphan Asylum at Cape Palmas — 
"Little Kate" going Home — Mrs. Hoffman's Last 
Letters — Jesus very near to her 222 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE CLOSING SCENE THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 

Growing weaker — Last Lines to her Friends in this 
Country — Lenten Season — Consolations abounding 

— Mr. Hoffman's Letter 230 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

IN MEMOEIAM. 

Gloom over the Mission — Sadness at Home — Minutes 
of the Foreign Committee 242 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV 



CHAPTER XXV. 

PROGRESS OF THE AFRICAN MISSION SINCE 
THE DEATH OF MRS. HOFFMAN. 

Few Laborers added — Rev. Mr. Holconib — Death of 
Miss Alley — Results of Twenty Years' Labor — A 
Work of Grace among the Children of the Orphan 
Asylum — War — Annexation of the Maryland Colo- 
ny to Liberia — A Native Ministry coming forward 
— Africa's Redemption Sure 248 



LIFE 



MRS. VIRGINIA HALE HOFFMAN. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 

Perhaps the highest commendation ever 
passed upon a human being was spoken by the 
Divine Redeemer of a woman ; a retiring, un- 
obtrusive inmate of a lowly home in Bethany 
— " She hath done what she could." And she 
who then broke the alabaster box of precious 
ointment upon His sacred head thus became 
the type and the head of an unending suc- 
cession of Christian women, who have offered 
up their lives, "a sweet savor unto God," in 
the cause of Christ, and who have received 
from Him the meed of approbation, "well 
done, good and faithful servant ! enter into 
the joy of thy Lord." 

2 (17) 



18 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 

It may not be amiss, before entering upon 
the life of the subject of this memoir, to in- 
quire into the peculiar relation between the 
religion of Christ and this portion of the 
human family — to ask, what has Christianity 
done for woman, and what service has woman 
rendered in return to Christianity? If we 
would learn what Christianity has done for 
womaiij we have only to look over the world, 
and back through history, and behold her 
position without the sphere of its influence. 
Look back to the nations of antiquity the 
most polished and most refined ; the ancient 
republics, where civilization reached its high- 
est limit apart from Christianity. Amidst 
all the elegancies of Roman and Grecian life, 
woman's condition was but a servitude — a 
servitude, though wearing gilded fetters. 
Look again over the ancient and decaying 
civilization of the East, over India and China, 
Turkey and Japan, and what is her condition ? 
Alas, worse than that of the Roman matron 
or the Spartan maiden. In one, her doom 
is the prison of the harem ; in another, her 
fate too often is the suttee, or funeral pyre of 
her husband. Turning from these to Chris- 



THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 19 

tian lands, let the question be asked, what 
has Christianity done for woman ? and the 
reply is, every thing. It has delivered her 
from bodily and mental thraldom, and strick- 
en off the chains of her degradation in other 
ages and other lands. 

It has lifted her to the position her Cre- 
ator designed her to fill — man's equal, com- 
panion, and friend ; not his beast of burden, 
his toy, or his slave. It has constituted her 
the guardian of its most sacred interests, and 
entrusted to her the shaping, in childhood, 
of the everlasting destinies of the human 
race. It has seated her in a home — the 
nursery of piety, the shrine and sanctuary of 
"all that is lovely and of good report." It 
has hallowed her union with man, by making 
it the symbol of Christ's union with His 
Church, so intimate, so holy, so mysterious. 
But why need we enumerate ? For all that 
is excellent and lovely in female piety ; for 
all that is sacred to us in the memory of our 
childhood's home ; for all that is hallowed in 
the cherished names of mother, sister, and 
wife, we are indebted to the religion of Jesus 
Christ. 



20 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 

If we turn to the other question, and ask 
what has woman done in return for Chris- 
tianity ? the answer will be, much every way; 
much that shines upon the pages of history — 
more that is written on high, and known only 
to God. Prom the day that Mary broke the 
box of ointment until the present hour, a 
noble line of women has rejoiced to endure 
labor and suffering for Christ. The succes- 
sion of this ministry has never failed. Its 
ordination is from on high. "Its founders," 
one has beautifully said, "were the Marys 
and the Salomes, the devout women of the 
gospel, who ministered to Christ's wants 
when on earth ; and He, by accepting their 
services, instituted them, as it were, a minis- 
try, never to die out." Mary broke the box 
of ointment, and Mary after Mary repeats 
the act in outpourings of charity upon His 
disciples; offerings none the less precious 
and fragrant to Him, because done to "the 
least of His brethren." 

What a vast proportion of the beneficence 
of the gospel has ever been dispensed by 
this ministry! "Who have ever been the 
foster-parents of the orphan, the nurses of 



THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 21 

the sick, the comforters of the sorrowful, the 
friends of the stranger? Who gather the 
children of the poor into schools and asy- 
lums, and never weary in teaching them the 
words of eternal life ? Who, but the mem- 
bers of this world-wide sisterhood of love ? 

"Following those who were 'last at the 
cross and earliest at the grave/ come familiar 
names recorded by the pen of inspiration ; 
the pious Eunice and Lois, the devoted Pris- 
cilla, and 'Phcebe, a servant of the church 
at Cenchrea.' Catching their spirit, we hear 
of Catharine the Alexandrine martyr, and 
Monica the mother of Augustine, to whose 
pious efforts her son's conversion and emi- 
nence in the church are due. Nor have mo- 
dern times been less fruitful in such in- 
stances. Who has ever labored more con- 
stantly and effectively in the cause of truth 
than Hannah Moore, whose pen stayed the 
tide of infidelity and godlessness coursing 
through England among the highest and the 
lowest? In the walks of benevolence, whose 
footsteps shine with a sublimer radiance than 
hers who caused the dungeon and the cell to 
glow with the light of sympathy and love, 



22 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 

the devoted Elizabeth Fry? And whose 
crown shall be brighter in heaven than that 
of the pious mother who in a crowded street 
of London taught her sickly child the word 
of God from the rude Scripture-scenes upon 
the tiles of the chimney-piece, her pictorial 
Bible ; and who lived to see that son become 
the eminent Philip Doddridge, the honored 
instrument of winning thousands to Christ?" 
But it has been reserved for the sphere of 
missions to the heathen to give to the church 
and to the world the brightest illustrations 
of the faith and love of woman for Christ. 
If the cause of missions had done nothing 
more than to give to the world such noble 
specimens of Christian character, it would 
be a full recompense for all the toil and care 
and money expended on it. " Here," says a 
voice just hushed in death,* " female piety 
has recovered and displayed anew the glory 
which it won when it wept at the cross and 
was early at the sepulchre. Here offerings 
more costly than those of the sweet spices 
of the sepulchre have been presented by the 

* Dr. John Harris on " The Great Commission." New 
edition, pp. 215, 216. 



THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 23 

Christian Marys of modern times. Here 
many a mother whom the world knows not, 
lias, in the depth, of her heart, like the mo- 
ther of Mills, dedicated her offspring to a 
post of distant labor. What Spartan mother 
of old, when buckling on the armor of her 
son, and bidding him, as she gave him bis 
shield, "either to bring it back or to be 
brought back upon it," can compare with the 
widowed mother of Lyman,* when she re- 
plied, to the intelligence that her son had 
been murdered by the cannibal Battas, " I 
bless God, who gave me such a son to go to 
the heathen, and I never felt so strongly as I 
do at this moment the desire that some others 
of my sons may become missionaries and go 
and preach salvation to those savage men 
who have drank the blood of my son." 
What ancient Hebrew women, receiving 
"their dead raised to life again," surpassed 
the self-denying faith of the widowed mother 
who could say of a son, to whom herself and 
her seven children were beginning; to look 
for support, " let him go ; God will provide 

* The Memoir of Lyman has recently been published by 
Robert Carter and Brothers, New York. 



24 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 

for me and my babes. And who am I, that 
I should be thus honored to have a son a 
missionary to the heathen?" and who, w T hen 
that son had labored successfully in India, 
and had died, could say of a second, a let 
William follow Joseph, though it be to India 
and an early grave !" 

Here the accomplished and highly intellec- 
tual female may be seen meekly yet firmly 
devoting herself to a distant and arduous ca- 
reer — vieing with the hero in his defiance 
of dangers, and with the martyr in the endu- 
rance of them. If self-devotion deserve our 
applause, who can present a stronger claim 
than Harriet Newell? If the heroic endu- 
rance of suffering is to be embalmed in the 
memory, who deserves a brighter memorial 
than Anne Hazeltine Judson ? Nor, we trust, 
will the name of her whose grave is in the 
shadow T of the palm-trees of Western Africa, 
whose dust sleeps by its sounding sea, prove 
unworthy to be added to the catalogue of 
these martyrs for Christ and the cause of the 
w r orld's conversion. 

Virginia Haviside, daughter of Horace and 
Abigail Hale, was born in Glastenbury, Con- 



THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 25 

necticut, October 14th, 1832. Her father was 
a captain in the merchant service.* Her mo- 

* The subjoined extract from a New York journal of 1822, 
may be of interest to many, as it narrates an incident in the 
life of her father, which gave rise to the name of ' Haviside.' 

London, June 3. 

The American Ship Persia. — The following statement will 
be found of great interest to the commercial world : 

March 4th, 1822, in lat. 28° 27' S., long. 38° 32' E., the Hon. 
Company's ship Windsor, Capt. T. Haviside, fell in with the 
American ship Persia, of Boston, Horace Hale, commander, 
48 days from Batavia. The Persia had sprung a dangerous 
leak, which required the incessant working of her pumps to 
keep her afloat. Capt. Hale requested Capt. Haviside would 
keep him company as far as the Cape of Good Hope, to 
which, on judging the very distressed state the vessel was 
in, the latter consented. 

Whilst the weather permitted, all possible assistance was 
given to the Persia by the Windsor, both by men (daily) to 
relieve the crew, who were sinking through fatigue from 
unceasing labor, and artificers to keep the pumps in re- 
pair, which, being on a bad construction, were continually 
giving way — without which the vessel must inevitably have 
foundered, as the leak was but just kept under with fresh 
men at the pumps, laboring in the extreme and without in- 
termission. 

Captain Hale's conduct cannot be sufficiently appreciated. 
The zeal and firmness manifested by him and his officers in 
the preservation of the property entrusted to their charge, 
the abandonment of which would not only have been war- 
ranted, but seemed at times extremely urgent, from the 
distressing state of the ship, the exhausted condition of the 
crew, and the tempestuous weather they had to encounter, 
communication between the ships not at all times practica- 
ble, and the risk attending it often preventing the regular 



26 THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 

ther, Abigail Talcott, was a lady of superior 
mind, intellectual culture, and humble piety. 
Seven years after the birth of her youngest 
child, she was removed by death. Great was 
the loss of such a parent — but ere she was 
taken, she had left her impress upon the hearts 
and minds of her two children, Catharine and 
Virginia. 

" You ask me," writes Virginia, in her six- 
teenth year, " to tell you more of my mother. 
I can tell you but little, as I was so very young 
when she died. My first recollection of the 
home of my childhood is, being called to sit 
by mother while she read and prayed with 
us. I was too young to prize it then ; but 
the remembrance of it is very sweet. I have 
not a doubt that it is due to her prayers that 
God led me thus early to love Him. She left 
me in His care upon her dying bed, and He 
has never left me. She would often tell us, 

relief the Persia was in the habit of having from .the 

Windsor. 

It is, however, satisfactory to add, that Captain Hale and 
his officers met with the reward due to their exertions, in 
getting the Persia and their cargo safe into Table Bay, with 
the exception of some part thrown overboard at times when 
the leak gained upon the pumps. 



THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN. 27 

when the storm was raging, that perhaps our 
father was in danger — perhaps even then the 
sea was rolling over him, and we would never 
see him more on this earth ; and then she 
would strengthen her own faith by bidding 
us kneel and offer up our prayers with her's. 
Her life w r as a sad one, but sorrow drew her 
nearer to God." Who that knew in after 
years the life of almost incessant prayer of 
this dear child of God, can doubt that the im- 
press of such sacred hours and such pious 
training, laid the foundation of her lofty and 
symmetrical Christian character ? That sad 
yet pious mother, removed so early from her 
children, has reaped ill heaven the fruit of 
those seeds which were sown in tears, and yet 
in holy trust in God. 



28 THE NEW BIRTH. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE NEW BIRTH. 



" Tell me, I pray thee, thy Name !" 

Jacob at Peniel. 

" 'Tis Love ! Tis Love ! Thou diedst for me ; 
I hear thy whisper in my heart : 
The morning breaks ; the shadows flee : 
Pure, universal Love Thou art. 

My prayer hath power with God ! the grace 
Unspeakable I now receive : 
In vain have I not wept and strove: 
Thy nature and Thy name is Love !" 



The childhood of Mrs. Hoffman presents 
ns with no incidents of special interest, nor 
with any remarkable traits of character. At 
the age of eleven years, she was bereaved of 
her father, and left, with her sister, orphans. 
Left much to themselves, and thrown upon 
their own resources, their characters were 
more rapidly developed. In the youngest sis- 
ter, the subject of this memoir, there was, as 
a child, firmness even to obstinacy. She could 



THE NEW BIRTH. 29 

be ruled by love, but unmoved by force. A 
proud spirit, united to a dignified manner, led 
her at school to seek the society of her seniors 
in age, but not in intellectual growth. More 
reserved in her manners than most young 
persons, her intimates at school were few. 
Up to the age of fourteen, she manifested no 
indications of piety, no evidences of a heart 
renewed by the grace of God. She had heard 
of Christ by the hearing of the ear, but knew 
Him not as her divine Saviour. The world 
occupied her thoughts, yet satisfied not her 
soul. But we are now approaching the pe- 
riod of her life when old things are to pass 
away, and all things become new, and she is 
to pass into "the glorious liberty of the chil- 
dren of God." 

At the age of fifteen, she left the friends in 
the North, who had watched over her since 
the death of her mother, and became an in- 
mate of her sister's (Mrs. Richard Dickson) 
home, in Norfolk, Va. Here the providence 
of God seems to have thrown around her spe- 
cial influences to prepare her for the great 
work of her life. She found herself at once 
in the midst of a warm-hearted community, 



30 T PIE NEW BIRTH. 

surrounded by tender, sympathizing friends, 
and in the bosom of an earnest, living Church. 
Scarcely had a single month of her residence 
in Norfolk passed, when a marked change in 
her character and intercourse with others 
began to be observed. She had listened not 
in vain to the faithful preaching of the Gospel 
of Christ. It became to her the sword of the 
Spirit, the power of God to her salvation. 
God opened her heart to receive the truth — 
she heard, believed, repented, loved, and 
obeyed. 

It was on a Sabbath afternoon, in the au- 
tumn of 1847, that the writer of these pages 
was called, as her pastor, to converse with her 
for the first time concerning her soul's salva- 
tion. His personal acquaintance with her 
heretofore had been but very slight. How 
great was his surprise to find in her a deep 
and thorough work of grace — the whole soul 
melted by the love of God in Christ, and ear- 
nestly embracing Jesus as her wdsdom, right- 
eousness, sanctification, and redemption. On 
that evening, the rite of confirmation was to 
be administered in Christ Church by the ven- 
erable and beloved Bishop Meade. She was 



THE NEW BIRTH. 81 

encouraged to present herself without delay 
as a candidate. She embraced the invitation 
with delight — and on that night, just fifteen 
years of age, she stood before God's servant, 
surrounded by a numerous band, and in the 
dew of her youth consecrated her life to God. 
It was no ordinary consecration — there was 
a strength and steadiness of purpose far be- 
yond her years — it was the first step of a life 
wholly devoted to God. 

December 5th, 1847, she writes in her jour- 
nal : " To-day for the first time I have re- 
ceived the communion. If God spares my 
life another year, may I find that each day I 
have increased in holiness, and in the love 
of God. May I never receive the communion 
unworthily ; and may I each day become 
more like my Saviour, till at the end of life 
I be found perfect !" 

The communion-season was ever a precious 
feast to her soul. August 6th, 1848, she makes 
this record in her journal: " Communion- 
day ! I never have had like peace — I could 
almost feel that 'twas Jesus who broke the 
bread, and said, 'Love one another.' " 

As before remarked, she was surrounded 



32 THE NEW BIRTH. 

by many circumstances favorable to the de- 
velopment of elevated Christian character. 
The Church in Norfolk, for more than a quar- 
ter of a century, has stood forth, distinguished 
for zeal, life, spirituality, and a high standard 
of piety. In the bosom of such a Church the 
character of the young disciple rapidly ri- 
pened. Christian friends watched with de- 
light her progress, as daily waiting upon the 
Lord, she renewed her strength. Soon there 
was seen a ripeness and maturity of Christian 
graces which made her the companion and 
even the adviser of those far more advanced 
in life. He who had called her to be His 
disciple, seemed to be preparing her for some 
special and important service ; and but a few 
short months elapsed before this purpose be- 
gan to be disclosed. 



a missionary's life chosen. 33 



CHAPTER III. 

A missionary's life chosen. 

The missionary work in heathen lands had 
early enlisted her deep sympathy and prayers. 
She had heard from the pulpit the call for 
laborers in Africa and China. Recognizing 
God's claim to her whole life, and feeling that 
she was "not her own," the question arose 
in her mind, why should not she become a 
missionary ? She was an orphan, with but 
one close and tender tie, a sister's love, to be 
rent by such a step ; and great as was the 
need of laborers in the home-field, yet greater 
and more pressing were the claims of the 
millions of the tribes of Africa, perishing 
without the light of the glorious Gospel. A 
few faithful missionaries were fainting under 
their burdens upon the shore of that dark 
continent. She would cast her lot with them. 
Her life should be devoted to the evangeliza- 
tion of Africa. 

3 



34 a missionary's life chosen. 

Miss Hale's decision to become a mission- 
ary to Western Africa was not attained with- 
out severe conflicts with her own heart, nor 
without much opposition from her friends. 
Doubts arose in her mind from the conside- 
ration of her youth. " Scarce sixteen," she 
writes, "I fear that I would hinder rather 
than assist the work; I shall ever pray that 
God may direct me in the way that I can 
best glorify His name." The same reason 
was urged against her going to Africa by a 
Christian relative. Quoting his letter, she 
writes, "lie thinks that I am too young, and 
would only be a hinderance. I cannot think 
as he does ; for, though I would expect suf- 
fering, still I should have strength given me 
to bear it." * * * "If I go, I will go 
cheerfully ; fori think no sacrifice is accepta- 
ble unless cheerfully made." * * * "Ee- 
garcling the duties, I cannot tell how I am 
fitted for such a position, but there is an old 
saying in which I place much confidence, that 
'where there is a will there is a way.' I am 
sure that I have the will to w^ork, and I 
should look to God to teach me the way. 
Where His will may now lead me, He only 



A missionary's life chosen. 35 

knows. "When I look back upon the past 
year, and think what and where I was, I won- 
der that I can ever think of forming one plan 
for my own action for even one day. still less 
for a longer period." 

June 16th, 1848, she wrote, u not once 
since I last wrote have I felt one doubt but 
that I should be guided in the right way. It 
seems as if I had never known ('until now) 
the almost perfect happiness of trusting in 
God. And in proportion as I lean on Him 
in things of importance, so much the more 
can I feel in these little cares that they are 
all for the best." 

July 8th. — -*I have prayed that I might* 
and feel now that I could, leave here and 
meet Buffering while Christ is with me and 
while resting upon Him. * * * Of my- 
self, I have not strength to bear even the 
little troubles which each day brings ; but I 
know i and it makes me happy to think of it) 
that God is almighty, and that He is my Fa- 
ther, and that He who is my Intercessor is 
also my Brother." 

It is not surprising that Miss Hale met 
with many who opposed her desire to enter 



36 a missionary's life chosen. 

the missionary work in Africa, and with not 
a few who looked upon the undertaking as 
the offspring of the wildest enthusiasm. We 
cannot wonder, indeed, that worldly minds 
should fail to appreciate the high and holy 
motives which prompt to self-consecration in 
the work of foreign missions. To such the 
child of God, constrained by the love of 
Christ, may reply, "I hear a voice you can- 
not hear, I see a hand you cannot see ! " But 
it is a trial of a sorer kind to such a spirit to 
meet with want of sympathy, and even dis- 
couragement and opposition, from Christ's 
professed disciples. This trial Miss Hale was 
called to bear. 

Writing under the date of July 29, 1848, 
she says, " I visited one of my friends last 
week, who spoke very harshly about my go- 
ing away ; she is a member of the church, 
and quite advanced in life ; she called it a 
wild idea, etc. Her principal objection was 
one that you have not heard before, I think 
— -I was too pretty to go among the heathen in 
Africa.'' She seemed to forget the great end 
and aim of the establishment of missions. It 
was sad to hear her speak thus, for I thought 



A missionary's life chosen. 6 

one so old should have valued the things of 
this world less." 

Let it not be thought by any one who did 
not know her that this reference to her per- 
sonal appearance was any indication of a 
consciousness of the possession of personal 
beauty by herself. God had indeed given to 
this lovely woman great personal beauty ; but 
no word, or deed, or look ever manifested a 
sense of its possession ; or if she could not 
fail to know it, we know full well that she 
rejoiced to lay it as a willing offering upon 
the altar of Him who is " the fairest among 
ten thousand, and altogether lovely." 

The subject of her immediate departure to 
Africa having been referred to her guardian, 
met with his strong and earnest opposition ; 
and Miss Hale acquiesced at once and with- 
out a murmur in his decision. She consented 
to pass through a probation of two years, 
which might test the depth and strength of 
her motives. Soon after this decision, she 
writes cheerfully and hopefully, "it is said 
that there is a feeling natural to the mind, 
which causes us to prize an object when lost 
more than when it is within our reach. I 



38 a missionary's life chosen. 

think I feel so now ; for, though I trust I did 
value the opportunity given to me of obey- 
ing Christ's great commission, and of taking 
up my cross to follow Him, yet I feel now 
that it would have been a real pleasure. I do 
not fear death; but were there one pang ever 
to accompany it, it would be lost were I to 
die while teaching those heathen of the love 
of God." 

Still, while cherishing the distant prospect 
of going to Africa, she had to struggle 
against the occasional coldness and opposi- 
tion of friends. One morning she received 
a message through an intimate friend, who 
was entreated by another to use every effort 
in her power to prevent her taking such a 
rash, wild step ; one leading to certain death, 
and taken from a wrong sense of duty. 
"Much as such a message pained me," she 
writes, "I was very happy to find that my 
duty only seemed the plainer. If I am denied, 
the aid of my Christian friends, I have One 
still unfailing and ever present Friend/' 

No one who saw her at this period of life, 
ever cheerful and bright, could have imagined 
the struggle through which she had passed 



a missionary's life chosen. 39 

in yielding her own convictions of duty to 
the judgment of others, and consenting to 
abandon her purpose of immediate departure 
to Africa. It left no trace of morbid feeling 
or of indifference to home duties upon her 
character and life. She became at once most 
active and earnest in the discharge of all 
Christian duties, and in the work of the 
church of Christ. The Sunday-school and 
parish school opened to her congenial fields 
of activity. 

One Sunday evening, in 1848, she says in 
her Journal : " I have been this evening to 

the funeral of E— D , one of my first 

Sunday scholars. I hope she has gone to her 
Father in heaven. May it be a lesson to me 
to be more faithful in my duties, particularly 
as a Sunday School teacher." 

She w^as seldom absent from the ladies' 
prayer-meetings connected with the Church; 
and to wait on God in His house was ever 
her joy and delight. She "went about doing 
good," almost daily seeking out the abodes 
of the sick and the poor, and ministering 
wisely and lovingly to both body and soul. 

Nov. 7th, 1848, she "writes to a friend: "It 



40 A MISSIONARY'S LITE CHOSEN. 

is just a year ago last Sunday that I was con- 
firmed. I shall always look back to that day 
as one of the happiest of my life. I was in- 
vited yesterday to join one of the praying cir- 
cles of our Church. I very willingly acceded, 
and we are to have our first meeting at Mrs. 

"W* 's. * * * " I spent all yesterday 

morning in the vestry-room of Christ Church, 
cutting out clothing for about thirty of the 
parish-school children." 

"Nov. 21st. "I have finished reading the 
life of Leigh Richmond, and I know of no 
book of human origin that has done me so 
much good as his Memoir. May I be more 
humble ! I feel that I am in great danger 
of forgetting that it is to God alone I am in- 
debted for every good thought and deed, and 
of taking to myself the praise. It seems as 
if every day I could discover some new evil 
in my heart to be overcome. May I strive to 
be perfect, even as our Father in heaven is 
perfect." 



HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK, 41 



CHAPTER IV. 

HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK — 1849-50. 

On the first clay of January, 1849, Miss 
Hale began a journal of her Christian life, 
from which we now make some extracts. 
Her journal opens thus: "To assist me in 
conquering my besetting sins, I commence 
this." This record of self-examination can 
only be fully understood by the Christian 
heart. To others it may seem strange and 
perplexing. Each day's search brought to 
light those faults over which she mourned, 
against which she strove, and for deliverance 
from which she ceased not to pray. Those 
faults were none other than such as are com- 
mon to every heart; but to the new-born soul 
they cause many a sigh and many a struggle. 
Just emerging from the world, pollution still 
cleaves to its garment ; and though clothed 
with the Saviour's righteousness, yet, in con- 
trast with His purity, its own defilement 



42 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 

appears more dark and odious. Thus she 
mourns: " Pity me! sin cleaves to me; help 
me, O God!" 

Pride was a frequent troubler of her peace, 
constantly lamented and daily contended with . 
"Pride pollutes all," she writes; " let me look 
to Jesus to relieve me !" Scarcely an entity 
is made in her journal at this period (the be- 
ginning of 1849) without reference to this sin 
of her heart. " Pride in church, pride among 
visitors, pride in teaching in Sunday School." 
Under date of 14th January, she writes : — 
"Pose late, ill in body, fretful in mind, and 
a cold heart in prayer. I did not pray for my 
class earnestly, and had but little zeal in 
teaching. In church, prayer cold, lip-service. 
Evening service, the text was ' Pray without 
ceasing.' I resolved to pray three times a 
day fixedly. How little do I love Him who 
made and spares me ! Let me be spent for 
His glory ! Make me humble. Let me trust 
in Jesus for all my strength, and know my- 
self to be dust, dust, dust ! What have I to 
be proud of?" 

January 23d. " Pride will come. May T 
trust not in words, but in Christ ? I will give 



HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 43 

thanks to Him who giveth me the victory. 
' Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.' Take 
away my pride ; make me as Him." 

February 17th. "Father, hear my prayers } 
feeble though they be ; sanctify my trials to 
me ; lead me nearer to Thee, and receive me 
as Thy child!" 

February 19th. " Take pride from my 
heart ; let me delight whenever I am called 
to deny myself; let me be meek and humble, 
joy to find in every station something still to 
do ; let my heart be fixed on heaven !" 

February 21. Ash- Wednesday. " Help me 
to mortify my pride and selfishness ! Let 
these be the two sins against which I must 
fast and pray." 

"Writing to a friend about this time, she 
says: "I have been reading the life of Dr. 
Payson. I feel that it has done me good ; 
if in no other way, it has made me more 
humble. As I have been writing this, I re- 
collect one passage which I felt was a rebuke 
to me (indeed, there were many), which al- 
most made me doubt whether I was really 
treading in the path He trod. This one pas- 
sage was in reference to giving up all for 



44 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 

Christ. You must pray for me, that Christ 
may be my all." 

February 25. First Sunday in Lent. "Do 
I love to read the Bible as much as during 
the last Lenten season ? Do I pray oftener ? 
Do I love public prayer? Have I lowered 
the Gospel standard ? Do I call some sins 
small and others great ? Have I ceased striv- 
ing to be holy ? Do I think fasting to be of 
no use ? Let me take my besetting sin pride, 
and fast and pray over it !" 

March 19th. — "I wish during the coming 
week to live near to God, to note my faults 
as I commit them, and to try and crucify my 
flesh. Christ is my pattern." 

20th. — "Rose early and read. May my 
life be as the seed, blade, ear, full corn ! I 
wish to live for Christ to-day." 

23d. — "A morning walk. Passed Christ 
Church as the doors were opened and the 
bell commenced tolling. I stood at the door 
for several minutes, as no one was yet there. 
It was a beautiful spring morning ; and as 
my eyes fell upon the chancel, I thought how 
many vows I had made there ; (alas, how un- 
faithfully kept !) how often within those walls 



HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 45 

had I been instructed, comforted, and cheer- 
ed. How hallowed did every association 
with them seem ! How I thought of the 
church above, how much more glorious ! free 
from every sinful stain, and never ceasing to 
glorify Him who has redeemed them ! " 

April 1st. — "I have so arranged all my 
duties that I can devote nearly all my time 
next week (Passion-week) to reading and the 
services of the church. I have commenced 
the comparison of the four Gospels ; and 
though I have gone but a little w^ay, yet it 
seems to me deeply interesting." 

April 5th, Passion-week. — " This week has 
passed so pleasantly ! I have spent almost 
all my time in reading when I have not been 
in church. I have this morning finished 
writing a harmony of the sufferings of our 
Lord, comparing the accounts of the four 
Evangelists. I have been so happy while do- 
ing it ! I have read and re-read these narra- 
tives, and still it seems that were I to spend 
my whole life I should ever find something 
new. God's love to us seemed to me so 
great that I wonder that I could ever think 
anything too great to give up for Him." 



46 HER JOURNAL IN NOREOLK. 

Under date of May 13th. is the following: 
"I have tried to-day to look into my own 
heart, to learn, if God should call for me, 
whether I am ready to go, or if I could give 
up those dearest to me. * * * Many cir- 
cumstances have brought to my mind thoughts 
of eternity, and I wonder to see so many 
around me entirely forgetful of the life be- 
yond the tomb. Is there anything too great 
to be given up that even one soul might be 
brought to the knowledge of Jesus ? But 
why is it that there are so many who are un- 
willing to give up anything ? Nothing has 
brought more sadness to my mind than the 
coldness of my own love, and that of many 
professing Christians, to Him who has died 
for us." * * * "Now I am alone, with 
my Almighty Father to lead and guide me, 
and I think God is fitting me to do His will, 
and preparing me now by little trials for 
greater ones to come." 

May 27th, "Whitsunday. — "This day has 
been to me especially precious. We have 
been led by the services of the Church to 
commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit 
upon the Church of old. Most earnestly did 



HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 47 

I pray (and God gave me faith to believe that 
my prayers would be heard) that upon our 
Church here and throughout the world His 
Spirit might rest." 

May 30th. — " I have been to-day to a meet- 
ing which was very sweet. A few evenings 
ago I was walking with a young lady of St. 
Paul's Church, and we were speaking of the 
many friends we had who were yet strangers 
to the love of God. We w r ere wishing that 
we could do something for them, and the re- 
sult of our thoughts was an agreement to 
meet every Wednesday morning to seek the 
Spirit of God to rest upon our unconverted 
friends. We commence with singing; one 
of us then offers a prayer for those of our 
friends whom we ail know, and who are 
strangers to the love of Christ. Besides re- 
membering our friends, we strive to promote 
our ow T n spiritual welfare by asking for the 
same Spirit to dwell in our own hearts. I 
think God's blessing will rest upon us, as we 
have sought it earnestly." 

June 3d, Trinity Sunday.— " Would that I 
could write the happiness that I have felt this 
day! It is Communion-Sunday, and the 



48 HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 

happiest I have ever passed. I rose with a 
thankful heart, and the first verse of the 147th 
Psalm seemed to me to be a good expression 
of my feelings — ' Praise ye the Lord, for it 
is a good thing to sing praises unto our God, 
for it is pleasant and praise is comely.' In 
Sunday-school I was enabled better than 
usual to do my duty. We had a sermon 
well calculated to prepare us for the solemn 
services which followed. Never have I been 
so free from wandering thoughts, and never 
felt how deeply was my heart tainted by sin. 
To God alone would I give the praise for 
every good thought, word, and deed. I have 
thought that one great reason why I enjoyed 
to-day so much was that during the previous 
week I have tried, by close self-examination, 
to prepare myself to partake of this holy or- 
dinance." 

June 6th. — " To-day our little praying- 
circle met. It is very pleasant. I feel that 
it is a great aid to me," 

Under the same date, referring to a trial 
she was called to bear, she writes, "It has 
chastened all my feelings, and I am sure it 
is good to have them so subdued, for I have 



HER JOURNAL IN NORFOLK. 49 

greater peace of mind. I have been led to 
go oftener to Jesus to plead with Him. It is 
so sweet and soothing to all our fears to trust 
in Him." 

The Lenten season of 1850 was the last 
she expected to spend in her native land, and 
on this account was doubly precious to her 
for its holy privileges. 

On Good-Friday of that year she thus ex- 
presses herself : 

" This may be my last Good-Friday here ! 
I would be truly grateful for the blessings of 
this week. may I love Christ more, and 
may His love constrain me to live wholly to 
Him, to glorify Him in body and spirit! 
May I strive to be fitted for the holy work of 
bringing sinners to Thee ! for more love 
to my God and to Jesus ! " 



50 HOPE'S FRUITION 



CHAPTER V. 

hope's fruition. 

The succeeding year in Miss Hale's life 
passed quietly, and without any special event 
worthy of record. Her Christian character 
was daily ripening into greater maturity, and 
she continued as ever active in all depart- 
ments of Christian duty. As the summer of 
1850 drew nigh, her long-cherished hope of 
reaching Africa began to draw near to its 
fruition. The Eev. Cadwalader Colden Hoff- 
man, a faithful and devoted missionary to 
Western Africa, to whom her affections had 
been plighted for two years past, returned to 
this country on the 1st of June, 1850. 

On the 13th of June she alludes to this 
event in a letter to a female friend. " The 
first day of this month Mr. Hoffman came, 
the packet having been driven into Hampton 
Roads by a storm. He is anxious to return 
in the autumn. I go with him, Gfod icilling. 



hope's fruition. 51 

I am looking forward with great pleasure to 
my home in Africa, especially after hearing 
all that Mr. H. has told me of the people. 
Never for a moment have I doubted that I have 
chosen the path of duty ; and the consciousness 
that I go for Christ's sake makes all sacrifice 
light." 

August 9th, she writes to another friend : 
"You must not accuse me of being; hard- 
hearted, if I tell you I am very happy even 
now when the time for my leaving all my 
dear friends is so near. I know I shall love 
the work ; 'tis such a great pleasure, as well 
as a privilege, to be permitted to tell of God's 
love to us. Sometimes in my little class in 
Sunday School, I tell them of it, and cannot 
cease. But to tell it to those who have never 
heard of it before, will be a far greater bless- 
ing ; and should God ever suffer me to see 
the fruit of my labors, no earthly happiness 
could approach to that. But if not, I can sow 
good seed, and feel sure that it will spring up 
after many days." 

The first of September was her last Sunday 
in her loved church at Norfolk. It was Com- 
munion-Sunday, and a memorable day to her. 



52 HOPE'S FRUITION. 

She thus writes of it : " Sept. 1st. I rose early 
and went to the early service before break- 
fast. At Sunday School, all my class were 
present. I tried to teach them to love the 
Lord with all their heart and soul and strength. 
At the morning-service I was enabled to give 
myself wholly to God, and to give up all for 
Him. God has so abundantly blessed me, 
that I feel I am not my own. I would trust 
Him to perform my future duties, weary and 
great though they may be. He has given me 
to-day a pledge of His love. 

" At the close of the service it rained, and 
we had to linger some time in the dear church. ' ' 

On the 5th of September, 1850, Miss Hale 
was united in matrimony to the Eev. Mr. 
Hoffman. The service was performed by her 
pastor, in Christ Church, Norfolk; the church 
so dear to her heart, as the hallowed spot 
where she had consecrated herself to God, 
and where she had often been fed with the 
bread of life. It was an occasion of deep in- 
terest to all the Church in Norfolk. A large 
company assembled to share in their joy ; but 
not the least interesting of all the assembly 
m her eyes was her Sunday School class, who 
stood near her with tearful eyes. 



HOPE'S FRUITION. 53 

Her journal at this time contains the fol- 
lowing record : 

" Sunday, Sept. 8th. I have left forever the 
quiet duties of my quiet home. Thursday, 
5th, we left Norfolk. I would be truly grate- 
ful for God's assistance on that day. I feel 
He strengthened me to take my marriage-vow, 
and I will trust Him for grace to keep it. * 
* * I find it hard to keep my heart always 
loving God. Let me remember that this is 
not my rest. At home we sought strength 
for the duties of the day. * * I thought 
of my dear pastor and his flock. Oh ! that 
God would strengthen me for the week's du- 
ties. The love of Christ must constrain me 
to live only for His glory. 

"Monday 9th. This world is not our rest." 

The remainder of this month was passed 
in travelling, and the entries in the journal 
are very brief. The first Sunday in October 
is thus noticed : 

" One month has passed since I received 

from Mr. C the emblems of Christ's body 

and blood. How have I lived ? Has the love 
of God been the ruling motive in my heart? 
Many idle thoughts this morning at commu- 



54 hope's fruition. 

nion. Father, forgive me, and help me. I 
gave ourselves to Him and His glory. My 
heart is too cold. Christ has died for me — 
I would at least live for Him. 

" New York, Oct. 14th. Birth-day. Eigh- 
teen years of mercies have passed away. I 
have commenced a new life, and new duties 
are before me. Well may I say, who is sufficient 
for these things ? Oh ! to be an example of 
a Christian by my life, words, dress, thoughts, 
looks ; to make religion lovely in others' eyes, 
to interest others in behalf of Africa, and in 
the work of winning souls ; to aid my hus- 
band in his work; to cheer, comfort., coun- 
sel, and obey him. Our work is great. Let 
me from this day put away all lightness, and 
be sober, and watch unto prayer. Let the 
word of God be the guide of my life. Make 
me unceasing in prayer, oh ! Father. Bless- 
ings are around me on every side. Make me 
truly grateful. * * * Health Thou hast 
given me, and friends. If Thou sparest my 
life another year, may I be more wholly Thine, 
love Thee, and serve Thee with all my heart. 
Strengthen me for the duties of this day. 
Give me grace, and put words in my mouth." 



hope's fruition. 55 

Not long after her departure from Norfolk 
for the North, she addressed this letter to one 
of that loved class : — 

"New York, Dec. 3, 1850. 

" My Dear C . 

" Since I left my class, every Sunday morn- 
ing that has passed has brought them to my 
mind, and earnestly have I prayed that they 
may all give their hearts to God. In about 
two months I will (if God so guide us) reach 
our home at Cavalla. There I hope to gather 
round me those whom I may teach of God. 
But it will be far different there. My sweet 
little class in Norfolk had often heard the 
same truths I taught them. But those to 
whom I 2:0 w T ill hear for the first time of the 
true God. Shall it be that those in Africa 
will rise to condemn those here ? For one, 

you can answer, my dear C , and w^ill you 

not soon ? * * * * 

" God bless you, and make you His own 
child. Your affectionate friend, 

"Virginia H. Hoffman." 

Again she writes to a dear friend : — 

"November — , 1850. 

"Dearest D . 

" My heart is full. I must write, and write 



56 n o p e r a u i t f o n . 

jii t, as I feel. The packet Bails on the LOtli 

of December. Oh! l> , I long to go; [ 

know not what awaits me, but suffering and 
sickness will be one part of the cup I shall 
have to drink; but I would welcome all only 
to be the weak instrument of winning souls 
to Christ. Where is our love, our faith, that 
we see the world going on to ruin, and yet 
lie on our- soft pillows, and wish they could 
1h; saved ? 

cc To die in the path of duty would be sweet — 
to lipe in weariness is sweeter stilly if by that life 
I may glorify Q-od," 

VI r:.. Hoffman was permitted unexpectedly 
to visit Norfolk for a day before sailing, [t 
was a precious season to her friends. We 
gathered about her, and enjoyed sweel com- 
munion with her, and mingled our prayer 
together. Returning to Baltimore,a farewell 
missionary meeting was held in the Church 
of the Ancmsion (LVv. Mr. Eillin's), and on 
the ^<l of December, she set ;i1 ' in the Liberia 
Packet, for the distant shores of Africa-— that 
continent whose history i: j . so fraughl with 
'.now and suffering. 



OUTWARD BOUND. 57 



CHAPTER VI. 

O D X W A B D B U N D . 

Th k African Mission of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church was first established in 1835. 
It has ever held a high place in the affections 

of the earnest members of that Church, It 
has enlisted many of the holiest ministers of 
the Church in its active service. And who 
can tel). what blessed influences have been 
poured forth upon the Church at home from 
this distant Mission ? It has awakened the 
Zealand enkindled the flame of piety anew 
in many congregations. It has added a pre- 
cious hand to the noble army of martyrs. 
The names of Minor and Savage, and Mes- 
senger, arid Home, and Smith, and others, 
arc carved upon the simple slabs that mark 
the humble graves upon that pestilential 
shore. 

Let us trace the course of our youthful mis- 
sionary as she is borne upon the broad bosom 



58 OUTWARD BOUND. 

of ocean to join the Mission at Cavalla. "We 
will let her describe the voyage in her letters 
to friends in her native land. 

" Liberia Packet, Jan. 3d, 1851. 

"My own precious Sister: 

" Until this evening we have been pitching 
and rolling at such a rate that it was impos- 
sible to write. I wrote by the pilot when we 
were at Cape Henry. I watched his beauti- 
ful little boat as it left us, and thought it was 
the last sight of anything near home. This 
was the day before Christmas ; the wind was 
fair, and in one hour we were out of sight of 
land. On the 29th (Sunday) the winds, which 
had been very high, increased so much that 
w r e had no service, either in the cabin or 
steerage. The decks were washed continu- 
ally by the waves, and I saw for the first time 
a storm at sea. At 8 P. M. the captain came 
and told us we must go down into the steer- 
age, as the waves were so high that he feared 
the cabin would be washed away. There 
were sixty emigrants, and the steerage was 
dimly lighted by one lantern, the door of 
which was fastened by a padlock. As there 



OUTWARD BOUND. 59 

is powder in the hold, the emigrants were 
not allowed to have lights. The people were 
groaning and crying. We had prayers there ; 
and on the captain assuring them that there 
was no danger, they became more quiet. It 
was truly awful, but I felt that we were safe 
in the hands of Him who ruleth the sea. 
' The waves of the sea were mighty, and 
raged horribly ; but yet the Lord who dwell- 
eth on high is mightier.' At 12 the captain 
came down and told us that the waves had 
subsided, and that we could go to our cabin. 

" There is much that is beautiful and glo- 
rious on the ocean. The waves dash around 
and over us, and the white caps are continu- 
ally sprinkling us. I have stood and watched 
the ship as it rested for an instant on the 
summit of a wave, and looked far down into 
the depth beneath, while beyond another 
wave rose like a mountain behind us. It is 
all beautiful ; and where we can see the hand 
of the Almighty in it, our thoughts of Him 
must be exalted and our trust in Him more 
firm. 

" January 10th. — We had service both in 
the steerage and the cabin on last Sunday. I 



60 OUTWARD BOUND. 

have a Sunday-school of thirteen girls. The 
weather is now quite calm, and I have com- 
menced a regular plan for my daily duties. 
I go with Mr. Hoffman to prayers in the 
steerage. Then we read and I study Grebo. 
At 11£ we have a day-school, and I have be- 
come very much interested in my girls ; they 
are so anxious to learn, and though not 
bright are attentive. At 1 we dine. I lay 
aside my work at 4 and go out to see the 
sunset. For the last week these have been 
very beautiful. I cannot describe them, but 
this thought came to me — if this is so glori- 
ous, w T hat must be the glory of that ' land 
that is very far off!" The sun, like a ball 
of gold, goes down in a sea of more brilliant 
light, and after it is gone the western sky for 
some time is illumined with every hue. On 
one evening there rose a light-green cloud, 
which faded as night came on ; it was a strong 
contrast to the golden light around, and, I do 
not know why, but I loved to look at it ; per- 
haps because it was land-like. At 6 we have 
tea ; then I go to prayers in the steerage, and 
coming up, I take a walk, about twenty feet 
in extent." * * * "I know not how to 



OUTWARD BOUND. 61 

tell you how full my heart is of joy that I am 
on the way to a field of labor I already love. 
God has been so good to me in giving me a 
cheerful heart, and in making the work of 
winning souls the sweetest of all work." 

"January 15th. — I am now looking out on 
the Isle of St. Antonio, one of the Cape de 
Verde Islands. When first discovered, it 
looked like a line of dark cloud resting on 
the horizon. As we drew nearer, I could 
distinguish the high rocks, of a reddish hue, 
destitute of all kinds of vegetation, rising 
7000 feet above the sea. This is our twenty- 
fifth day out from Baltimore ; and if the 
winds are favorable we could reach Monrovia 
in five days." * * * "My thoughts have 
often turned to the possibility of death being 
very near, and God has made it one of the 
most happy thoughts. But sister, whether 
we live or die, may it be our aim to glorify 
God ! may we be found faithful unto death ! " 

"January 20th. — ""We have had bright, 
beautiful weather since I last wrote. The 
captain hopes to see Monrovia the last of this 
week. Yesterday we had service on deck in 



62 OUTWARD BOUND. 

the afternoon. I enjoyed it more than any 
Sabbath since we left." 

22d. — "We have some messengers from 
land to-day : a canary-bird, which flew over 
the vessel, some butterflies, and a grass- 
hopper !" 

25th. — "God has heard the prayers offered 
for us, and brought us to the haven where 
we would be ! At about 4 last night the 
captain called ' Land ho ! ' It was Cape 
Mount, forty miles from Monrovia. On go- 
ing out this morning, we could distinguish 
the trees on shore. We will probably reach 
Monrovia by 12 M." 

To another dear friend she wrote, on the 
13th of January, 

"My much-loved L> 

" These words so truly speak my feelings 
that I must write them to you : 

"< There is a scene where spirits blend, 

Where friend holds fellowship with friend; 
Though sundered far, "by faith they meet 
Around one common mercy-seat.' 

" Severed as we have been for three weeks 
from the presence of Christian friends, it has 



OUTWARD BOUND. 63 

rendered our communion with them by 
prayer doubly sweet. 1 cannot tell you the 
comfort it gives me to think that you are 
praying for us. When the storms came 
which threatened to overwhelm us we were 
saved, and was it not in answer to prayer ? 
I have before me my last parting from you 
all. Mr. C's book, given to me as we parted, 
is indeed a treasure. Never can I cease to 
bless God that he was my pastor." 



64 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 



CHAPTER VII. 

A NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 

On the 29th of January the packet was 
anchored off Monrovia, the capital of Libe- 
ria. On this date she thus writes : 

As we neared Monrovia we saw dark 
spots on the water, which as they neared us 
we found to be canoes with two or more 
Eroomen in each. They form the class em- 
ployed by the vessels ; they leave their fami- 
lies and build huts on the coast until they 
have ' plenty money;* then they return to 
their w r ives. As we first saw them they wore 
straw hats with a piece of calico around the 
crown ; before they came on board the cloth 
from their hats was placed around their 
waists. A strange sight it was to me. These 
Eroomen are tall, finely formed, and of the 
color of mahogany ; they seemed struck by 
my complexion." 



NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 65 

And now for the first time she is to touch 
the shores of Africa. 

"Monday morning, at 10," she writes, "I 
was lowered into the boat by a chair, and 
was rowed by four Kroomen to this long 
looked-for land. Everything is beautiful 
here ; a paradise, but for sin ; everything so 
green and luxuriant. We now feel as if we 
were almost at home." 

The long voyage is at last ended, and the 
next letter tells of all her joy in reaching her 
new home in the heathen land. 

Cape P almas, February 11th, 1851. 

"My own Beloved Sister: 

" I cannot tell you of all the full stream of 
gladness which now fills my heart. The land 
so loner thought of and wished for is reached 
at last, and with a firmer resolution I repeated, 
while health and life are spared, this is my home. 
"We left Bassa on Thursday morning the 6th, 
and reached Sinoe on Friday morning. I 
went on shore Saturday morning, and visited 
a number of persons, one, an Episcopalian, we 
found there from the South. I felt that she 
was a sister. She seemed to love to speak 
of the days we all observe. We left Sinoe 
5 



66 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 

on Saturday evening, and on Monday at 12 
o'clock, came in sight of Cape Palmas. Mr. 
Hening's house, six miles this side the Cape, 
we saw plainly as we passed on to anchor by 
Palmas. I do not know that I told you they 
had called their place Mount Hope. At six 
in the evening, we anchored near a beautiful 
green mount, on which the light-house is 
built. I had packed everything during the 
morning, and had only to put on my bonnet, 
and get into a boat. "We saw Mr. Rambo 
standing on the shore, and in a little while 
we were shaking hands with him. (All well.) 
"We walked to the Governor's, and at his 
wife's invitation, spent the night there, in- 
stead, of going to the Catholic Mission House, 
where our mission has two rooms. 

" While we were passing Mount Hope, some 
Kroomen came in canoes, and Mr. H. sent a 
note to Mr. Hening ; and early on Tuesday 
morning, we saw men with a hammock on 
the beach. It was Mr. Hening; he came 
alone, as Mrs. Hening was not quite well. I 
was pleased to find him so well and cheerful, 
though perfectly blind. I spent part of the 
morning at Gov. Russworm's, and part at the 



NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 67 

mission store. After dinner, I received some 
bridal calls. 

" February 12th. — I feel very well, though, 
it is warm ; but there is a pleasant sea-breeze. 
Last evening, we went to Mount Vaughan, in 
a two-seat carriage, drawn by four natives. 
Mount Vaughan is three miles from the Cape. 
"We arrived there at six, and just as we got 
out of the carriage to walk up the hill, w 7 e 
heard the bell ringing for service. I cannot 
tell you how sweetly it sounded. At Mount 
Vaughan Mrs. Thompson lives, and boards 
the boys, w T ho are taught by Mr. James Gib- 
son. At the foot of the hill is a little chapel, 
where w T e went to service at 7J. Mr. H. read 
the service and preached. We slept in a 
room which had only clap-boards on the in- 
side, a shelf in one corner for a wash-stand, 
a native mat, and native cloth on the table, 
and a nice bed. Early this morning, I visited 
the graves of the two Mrs. Savages, Mr. Mes- 
senger, and Miss Cogshall. Then we came 
from the Mount to the Cape ; and I write 
from the mission store, seated on a box — 
natives all around me ; and Kardi, who used 
to carry Mr. H. in his canoe dow T n the lake. 



68 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 

'Tis a sad sight, in passing through their 
towns, to see the gree-grees before their 
houses, and on the men, women, and chil- 
dren, often their only covering. I can scarce- 
ly believe that we are in an unhealthy cli- 
mate, so beautiful is the vegetation, and the 
people are so happy and contented. I have 
seen Dr. McGill, who will be my physician, 
and find him pleasant and intelligent. I can 
with perfect confidence trust him ; God will, 
I trust, bless his skill. 

"February 12th. — Mr. Payne has just ar- 
rived, and given us a Christian brother's wel- 
come, with dear little notes from Miss "Willi- 
ford and Mrs. Payne, which I will send you, 
that you may see what dear kind friends are 
here to welcome us. 

" February 24th. — Two weeks, clear sister, 
have passed since we landed, and I have been 
so w r ell and so happy. On the evening of the 
day I last Wrote you (the 12th), we went up 
to Kocktown. We did not reach Mr. Hen- 
ing's until late in the evening. His house 
stands on a high piece of ground, very near 
the sea. It is new, and looks very neat. We 



NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 69 

had met a great many of their friends, so 
that our time passed in conversing about 
them. 

" If Mr. Hoffman's duty did not call him 
here to Cavalla, I should rejoice to remain 
there. 

" On Thursday afternoon, we left Rock- 
town, and came to the Cape. Friday, the 
14th, we were placed in a canoe at the head 
of Shepherd's lake, and paddled by Kardi 
for eight miles. The shores of the lake 
are shaded by the mangrove, which grows 
like the banyan tree, but the roots are under 
the water. The color of the foliage here is 
peculiar — it is such a rich green. "When we 
reached Kardi's town, he stopped the canoe, 
and his wife brought me his little girl ; the 
poor little thing was only three weeks old, 
and it was loaded with beads and rings — 
some of the beads were of the size of pigeons' 
eggs. She gave me a " dash " (a present) of 
a fowl, for wdiich they alw T ays expect some- 
thing double the value; crowds of children 
waded into the w T ater, to get pins from us. 

"At the end of the lake, Mr. Payne, who 



70 NEW HOME IN AN OLD WORLD. 

had been riding on the donkey, joined us, and 
we took our hammocks. It was a bright 
moonlight night, and our way lay along the 
sea-beach. As I laid in my hammock, think- 
ing how often in thought I had followed Mr. 
Hoffman along this path, I could not realize 
that I was in Africa, and near Cavalla." 



HOME AND LIFE AT CA VALLA. 71 



CHAPTER VIII. 

HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

Mrs. Hoffman's reception at Cavalla was 
hearty, warm, and most affectionate. The 
missionaries already there rejoiced to welcome 
her to their feeble band. She thus describes 
it: — 

"When we were near the 'biff town' 
through which we have to pass to reach the 
station, the school-children met us. After 
going through the town, we passed under 
an avenue of cocoa-nut trees, which leads to 
the door of the Mission House. Before I 
could get out of the hammock, Mrs. Payne 
and Miss Williford bent over me and kissed 
me. The parlors in this country are all up 
stairs. They led me up, and on the tea-table 
were beautiful flowers, a w T edding-cake, &c. 
I went into my room, and found flowers there 
also. The parlor faces the west, and has a 
piazza on two sides. My room is back of it, 



72 HOME AND LIFE AT C A V A L L A . 

separated from it by a passage and stair-case. 
There is a piazza on one side, part of which 
is enclosed for a dressing-room. One window 
opens towards the east, and looks out upon 
the Christian village, w^here nine w r ho were 
educated in our schools have settled and mar- 
ried. Two other windows look toward the 
south, and the blue ocean spreads out before 
us. These windows are shaded by three cocoa- 
nut trees. Can you form any idea, now, of my 
home, dear sister ? It is a beautiful one, and 
more than that, it is a happy one, for God's 
blessing rests upon it. 

"April 1st. — Seven weeks have passed, 
dear sister, and still God preserves my health; 
I have not had anything like fever, but I feel 
very weak. The Packet has arrived, and in 
a week leaves again, and takes Mr. Payne 
from us. He has promised to visit Norfolk 
on his way to Savannah, where Mrs. Payne's 
sister resides. It will not be until after his 
consecration. Mrs. Payne will feel his ab- 
sence very much ; they have been for so many 
years together here. Mr. Hoffman has all 
Mr. Payne's duties, which keep him very 
much occupied. I am in my room all the 



HOME AND LIFE AT CA VALLA. 73 

morning, studying Grebo and writing. Mr. 
H. is in school and about the lot. Now that 
the church is commenced, he is gathering the 
materials ; every perch of rocks is paid for 
by yards of cloth, measured to some twenty 
women; and other w T ork is paid for in the 
same way. After dinner, Mrs. Payne, Miss 
"Williford and I sew together in the parlor, 
and any of the natives who wish, come to see 
us. The gentlemen go out to preach, and 
we sometimes meet them on their return. 
There are beautiful walks to some of the na- 
tive towns, though the paths are only wide 
enough for one person. You may think of 
us as occupied in this way for some time to 
come. It is very hard for me to be so quiet, 
for there is so much I might do ; but I hope 
by this means to work longer in this land; 
and even now I can pray for a blessing on the 
labors of those with us. 

" While Mr. Payne is in America, he hopes 
to get funds for building a girls' school-house. 
The one Miss Williford uses now is not as 
large as one of your parlors, and the girls eat 
in the same room ; above it is a garret-room, 
where they sleep upon mats on the floor. You 



74 HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

well know how hard it is to make them neat, 
but we hope to have everything arranged pro- 
perly when the new one is built. There are 
twenty-five girls with us now, and many of 
them are very bright-looking children. I have 
a little namesake living in town, and Mr. 
Hoffman has one in the Christian village. 
How amusing it would seem to you, could 
you see ns in our walks, followed by crowds 
of native children ! I long to be able to speak 
their language, that I may talk with them." 

As yet, Mrs. Hoffman had not entered upon 
her special duties as a missionary. She was 
not prepared to converse with the natives, 
and it was deemed prudent to defer her labors 
in the school until she had become in some 
degree acclimated. Her time was chiefly oc- 
cupied in the study of Grebo, and in home 
duties in the mission family at Cavalla. Her 
longing to enter upon her great work of teach- 
ing the heathen of Christ was very earnest, 
while at the same time her life was one of un- 
broken happiness amidst the congenial society 
of her sister missionaries. 

March 26th, she thus writes to a friend: — 
"We have been at our Cavalla home, dear 



HOME AND LIFE AT C A VALLA. 75 

E , for seven weeks. Gocl still preserves 

my life and health. I have no symptom of 
fever, though the season for the acclimating 
process to commence is, after sleeping on 
shore, three weeks. I know not how to be 
grateful enough to God for this blessing. I 
hope to be able to give myself wholly to Him, 
to labor for these people. I have accompa- 
nied Mr. H. twice on Saturday afternoons, 
w^hen he went to call the people to church, 
with an interpreter. I get acquainted with 
the people, and learn where they live. Their 
houses are scattered about the town so irregu- 
larly that you have to wind around them — 
and we often get perplexed. As soon as I 
am strong enough (though that may not be 
for some months), I hope to go one afternoon 
in each week, and talk with the heathen wo- 
men, and tell them of Jesus. But, dear E 

you must pray for us, that we may have faith. 
These people hear us, and receive us kindly ; 
but they are carnal — they do not know what 
we mean when we talk of being spiritual. 
God must teach them, and on His mighty 
power alone we can rely." 

It was determined that Mr. and Mrs. Ho A- 



76 HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

man should remain at Cavalla as assistants 
to the Rev. Mr. Payne, in the mission work 
in that vicinity. Cavalla occupies a beautiful 
site in view of the Atlantic, and twelve miles 
from Cape Palmas. A Christian village was 
growing around it, composed of converted 
natives, while all around were thousands of 
heathen, members of the Grebo tribe, among 
whom the missionaries went almost daily, 
preaching the Gospel of Christ. Heretofore 
the chapel occupied for worship on Sunday 
had been a frail building of wood, and now 
was falling; into ruins from the effects of the 
climate. 

During Mr. Hoffman's sojourn in the Uni- 
ted States in the previous year, he had brought 
before the churches at home the need of a 
new church edifice at Cavalla, and solicited 
aid for this purpose. Liberal donations had 
been made to him, and on his return to Africa, 
the work of building a church was at once 
commenced. 

The 18th of March, 1857, was a joyous day 
to the mission family at Cavalla, when the 
corner-stone of the Church of the Epiphany 
was laid in hope and faith and prayer to God. 



HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 77 

Of this event Mrs. Hoffman thus writes under 
date of April 4th : 

" Those dear friends who have aided 
in bringing this to pass may like to know 
how pleasant the ceremony was. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hening and Mr. Eambo were here. At 
3 P. M. we all walked to the boys' school- 
house. Mr. Eambo read the service and Mr. 
Payne delivered an address, consisting of 
simple English sentences ; for there were a 
great many natives present who have learned 
from the vessels some few words. We then 
walked to the site of the church, which com- 
mands a beautiful view of the sea; all the 
school-children (to the number of sixty), the 
married Christians, and the natives walking 
with us, made quite a long procession. 

"Mr. Hoffman spoke to the natives and 
Enoch Lowe interpreted for him ; Mr. Payne 
offered a prayer in Grebo, and we sang the 
hymn 'From all that dwell below the skies.' 
Mr. Hening offered the closing prayer, and 
we went back to the house just as the sun 
was setting. We had sought a blessing on 
our work, and we felt that it was safe when 
in God's hands. The heathen people seem 



/8 HOME AND LITE AT CAYALLA. 

pleased with, the prospect of having a < God's 
house' among them, though it is only be- 
cause it gives them a name. The poor chapel 
we worship in now T is almost in ruins ; there 
are air-holes in all sides. The church is to 
be built of stone (wood lasts such a little 
while here). It is a great labor to get the 
materials together, as we have no beasts of 
burden. The women have brought all we 
have used on their heads." 

Her journal at this period is full of inte- 
rest. 

"April 13th. — I did not go to church this 
morning, but read the service with loved 
ones at home. I am glad I could leave them 
for Christ's sake. My evil feelings must be 
overcome by thinking of other things — of 
God, of Christ. 

" This is Passion-week, and I would fast 
and spend much time in prayer. Many loved 
ones will join me — sister, E. and A. We are 
one, and in heaven we must soon meet. 

"18th, Good-Friday.— Read only a little 
before prayers. Between prayer and break- 
fast read Bradley's sermons. After breakfast 
thought of last year ; read and prayed for all 



HOME AND LIFE AT CAVALLA. 79 

I knew. It was a sweet pleasure to think of 
them all. I pray for more whole-heartedness 
this year to live only to work for God ; to be 
humble, as Christ stooped so low for me, so 
evil; and can I not yield to those who are 
better than I ? If God spares my life to this 
year's end, may I be found more holy, more 
self-denying ! 

"19th, Easter Even. — At 5 o'clock in the 
afternoon I walked into the garden, through 
the lily-walk, into the grave-yard. There I 
read the 212th hymn ( 4 Lo, what a cloud of 

witnesses !') knelt down and prayed for E , 

and A , and myself, that we might live 

wholly unto God. I think Christ is now all 
in all to me. I prayed that we might meet 
in heaven. As I looked up the calm, pure 
sky was above me. Our prayers meet at His 
throne. For our work I prayed. God did 
seem precious as my Father." 



80 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 



CHAPTEE IX. 

LIFE AT C AVALL A. 

" On Alpine heights a little flower 
From its snow-cradle soft doth reach, 
And with its tiny hands beseech 
Thy vesture-hem, Eternal power. 

"And straightway help of Heaven descends; 
And vital influences run 
Down golden ladders of the sun, 
And pleading life wins spirit-friends. 

"Thus souls in barrenest solitude 
Oft bring the kindly powers down, 
To lighten on them with a crown, 
Or cheer them with immortal food." 

It lias been our purpose in this memoir to 
permit the beloved subject of it to tell the 
story of her life as far as possible in her own 
words ; we therefore design to make the full- 
est use of her letters as the test-record of her 
life of labor for Christ. 

On the 7th of April she records the follow- 
ing interesting incident : 

"I wish, my dearest D , you could 



LITE AT CAVALLA. 81 

have looked in upon us yesterday (Sunday) 
morning. We were up very early, and at 7 
Ave were all gathered in the boys' school- 
house to witness the baptism of one of the 
Christian women's children, who takes my 
name. The mother's name was Helen White. 
She married one of the boys who was in the 
school, named John Wimer. Both were 
pious, and he was a teacher. On his death 
she was obliged to marry his brother, who is 
a heathen, as her betrothment-money had not 
been paid when she was a child. (The way 
this is now prevented is by the mission pay- 
ing the girl's parents the same sum they 
would receive from a husband. She then has 
a right to marry whom she likes.) Virginia 
Hoffman is Helen's first child by her second 
marriage. The little creature had on a white 
dress, and truly looked very sweetly. Mr. 
Hoffman baptized her. 

" Yesterday was Communion Sunday, and 
the last time Mr. Payne will be with us for a 
long period. Helen and George Carraway 
were there, in a native dress, which with them 
is a very large cloth. The others dress as we 
do, as they are living in the Christian village. 
6 



82 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

It is indeed pleasant for us to look upon 
them, and think of them as redeemed from 
such a depth of sin. It was communion sea- 
son with you also ; and I felt that we were 
truly united in heart when meeting at the 
table of the Lord." 

The Eev. Mr. Payne, who had labored so 
faithfully for the past fifteen years in the Af- 
rican Mission, had been elected with great 
unanimity at the General Convention of 1850, 
Missionary Bishop of Cape Palmas and the 
adjacent territory. He was now about to 
return to this country for consecration. 

It was a day fraught with the deepest inte- 
rest to the friends of missions, and especially 
to that honored Seminary from which, as a 
second Antioch, he had gone forth to his 
sublime work, when this beloved servant of 
Christ was consecrated a Bishop of the 
Church of God. This interesting event took 
place in St. Paul's Church, Alexandria, Bi- 
shop Meade presiding, assisted by Bishops 
Lee, Eastburn, and Johns. 

By the departure of Mr. Payne from Ca- 
valla, Mr. Hoffman was left in charge of the 
mission family at that place. 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 83 

April 17th, Mrs. Hoffman thus writes: 
" The packet sailed on the 11th, taking Mr. 
Payne from us. Mrs. Payne is very cheer- 
ful, though we know how much she must 
miss him, as we all do. Mr. Hoffman feels 
the responsibility to be very great. 

"This is our usual lecture evening; but as 
to-morrow is Good Friday, Mr. H. has defer- 
red the service till then. 

"I have been with you very often this (Pas- 
sion) week, and the pleasant seasons I have 
passed with you, and the means of grace we 
have shared together, have been often in my 
remembrance. 

" Our missionaries have not the strength, had 
they the time, and did they deem it expedient, 
to have additional services during Lent. A 
Christian native is indeed 4 a babe in Christ/ 
and has to be led as a child. 

" It has truly been a great comfort to me 
to know how many prayers have been offered 
for us. "When I would see Mr. Hoffman so 
wearied, and yet so many things which must 
be done, I could trust that day by day strength 
would be given him in answer to prayer, and 



84 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

so it has proved, for in body and mind lie has 
been sustained." 

" April 24th. — Easter Sunday has passed, 
and I have not been able to write before, 
to tell you how much I thought of you then, 
as on last Easter day we knelt together at the 
table of the Lord. "We had communion here, 
and it was a sweet season for us all. 

"I am going through my acclimation in a 
quiet way, and slowly. This is a trying time 
of the year to all of us. The end of the dry 
season is warmer, and our strength has been 
exhausted by the continued heat. 

"Mrs. Payne and I walked last evening to 
ISTyarro, to meet Mr. Hoffman, who had gone 
on a 'jenny' to Wappika, where'there is war 
among the natives. A battle had been fought 
in the morning, but he found them all quiet. 
They never fight but once a clay, and their 
mode of warfare is quite new to me. Two 
parties advance, leaving a good distance be- 
tween. One man from one side runs out and 
fires into the other party, and runs back. 
Then one from the other side runs out, fires, 
and runs back. They know so little about 
firing straight, that lives are seldom lost. We 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 85 

did not meet Mr. H., and found we were 
a long way from home, with a thick brush to 
be passed, where leopards are said to be found. 
We walked as fast as the heavy sand would 
permit us, and reached home safely. Mr. H. 
only laughed at our fear of the leopards, as I 
believe they only attack goats. I feel so 
much better after exercising, that I think of 
taking a ride on ' Jenny,' the donkey, as she 
is so gentle." 

" April 29th. — Mr. Hoffman sent for me 
to come to town, and see a ' palaver.' I made 
my way to the Bodio's, and found fifty old 
men seated in a circle on the ground. The 
judge sat in a chair; the men were dressed 
in their finest clothes. The case was brought 
by a man who had married a wife from the 
Bush country, and had paid a bullock for her. 
She ran away, and he demanded the bullock 
of her people. They refused, and he brought 
the case before his people. The old men have 
great authority in the town. After watching 
the 'palaver' a little while, we walked to 
some of the houses to tell them ' Sunday 
come.' I cannot help feeling impatient to 
get among them, and to be able to speak to 



86 LIFE AT CA VALLA. 

them. It is a common exclamation when 
they see me, ' Oh ! she is young V 

"During the last two weeks I have been 
translating the Grebo hymns in the morning, 
and it is such a pleasure now to understand 
them when we sing." 

The missionary work among the heathen 
is especially a work of faith and patience. 
Long years must be spent in preparing the 
soil and sowing the seed ; and, like the hus- 
bandman who waiteth for the precious fruit 
of the earth, and hath long patience for it 
until he receive the early and the latter rain, 
so the missionary in a heathen land must be 
content to wait for the precious fruit of his 
labors for Christ. Mrs. Hoffman was permit- 
ted to see many precious souls won to Christ 
from time to time through the instrumentality 
of her toil and the labors of her fellow-mis- 
sionaries. She records one of these instances 
under date of May 1st : — 

"I know you will rejoice with us, dear 

D , over one of our school children. She 

came to Mrs. Payne on Monday evening, and 
said she thought her heart was changed. She 
is naturally disposed to be wayward; but lately 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 87 

she has been very obedient. Her name is 
Sarah Morgan. We rejoice over her with 
trembling, for Satan's power is mighty here. 
* * * I think I told you in Baltimore that 
a bell had been given to our church. To-day 
it was brought from the Cape, and the men 
rang it as they came. We heard it a long 
distance, and it sounded like the music of the 
Sabbath-bells of a Christian land." 

" May 15th. — Sarah still continues to lead 
a consistent life. She is humble and gentle, 
and we hope grace will be given her to con- 
tinue steadfast" 

The following incident illustrates one of 
the saddest of African superstitions : — 

" I was painfully reminded on Tuesday 
afternoon, that we were in a heathen land. A 
man named Prince came into the parlor ; he 
spoke broken English, and told Mrs. Payne 
that his people were going to give him ' sasa- 
wood.' A man had died among his people, 
and the men bearing the body to the grave 
ran against his house : they believe that the 
body influences them to go against the house 
of him who bewitched or killed the dead man. 
He (Prince) had gone to another town, and 



03 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

was trying sasa-wood in small quantities ; if 
it does not injure him, he will go to his own 
town, and take it before his people. If it 
does injure him, so that he thinks it will kill 
him, he will stay away from his own town, 
and will lose his reputation. This is the worst 
of their heathen customs, and one which thrills 
my heart to think of. Last Saturday I walked 
with Mr. H. to Oradade, the town which I 
intend visiting regularly. The situation is 
more beautiful than I know how to describe. 
The path to it runs under large spreading 
trees ; on one side was a little glen — the 
bushes on every side hung with a vine, the 
leaves of which were like those of the convol- 
vulus. In walking through the town, we 
would often catch glimpses of the ocean be- 
tween the houses. I enjoy going out among 
them, though it is sad to see them in their 
degradation ; yet I know that we bring them 
light, and I trust and believe that some will 
receive it." 



LIFE AT C A VALLA. 89 



CHAPTER X. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 

On the 19th May, Mrs. Hoffman received 
the first letters from home since their depar- 
ture. Five months had elapsed, and she had 
heard nothing from the friends left behind 
her. Her happiness seems to have been ex- 
ceeding great, and she thus gives expression 
to it : — 

" You cannot tell how my heart is beating 
to-night. I am a stranger in a strange land, 
yet I have here precious letters telling me of 
your love and prayers. How precious they 
are, none can know till they leave heart- 
friends, and place the ocean between them; 
they kindle afresh my zeal, and remind me 
of what I ought to be, when so many prayers 
are offered for me. You may well say, my 
precious friend, that you think of me ' in a 
happy light,' for I am surrounded with bless- 
ings. It has gladdened us to see that three 
missionaries are going to China. "We hope 



90 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

now tliat others may be stirred up to come 
here." 

The same kind friend to whom she thus 
writes, had sent her by the same packet a 
present of a melodeon. May 22d, she says : 

"Last evening your precious gift came. 
What a source of pleasure it will be to me ! 
I sat down this morning and learned ' Gloria 
in Excelsis,' to play for Mr. H., when he comes 
home to-night." 

From her first arrival in Africa, Mrs. Hoff- 
man seems to have been deeply impressed 
with the natural beauty of the country. The 
dark, rich and dense foliage of the tropics — 
the clustering vines gracefully festooning the 
trees — the lofty cocoa and palm trees — the 
groves of the sweet-scented orange — the va- 
riety of strange and many-colored flowers, all 
combine to form a panorama of ever-changing 
beauty. In a letter written a few months 
after her arrival, she thus speaks : — 

" June 5th* — God has made this land very 
lovely. Sometimes, when walking on the 
sea-shore, we have sat down, and watched the 
sun setting behind the hills, casting on the 
rich foliage of the hill-tops its mild rays — ■ 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 91 

giving a parting blessing to the beautiful 
cocoa-nut trees which shade our home, then 
sinking and leaving all dark. 

" I have looked over this lovely scene, and 
the thought arose, alas ! this people love not 
Him who has made their home almost an 
Eden ! How like nothing seemed our feeble 
efforts ! Then I remembered the words of 
the Psalmist, ' Be still, and know that I am 
God.' 

" Though in the natural world the sun rises 
here without warning, and sets leaving no 
trace, yet not so will the Sun of Righteous- 
ness arise ; and I believe over our home the 
light is gathering that tells of His coming. I 
am not yet performing missionary duties, yet 
prayer is left me — and the relieving my hus- 
band from the many secular duties, that he 
may go and preach the word of our God. 

" We know not if they will hear or forbear, 
but we have the promise that God's word 
shall accomplish that whereunto He sends it." 

For four months after her arrival she was 
blessed with uninterrupted good health, and 
had so far escaped the fever of the country. 
In the early part of June, she had her first 



92 LIFE AT CAVALLA 

attack of chills and fever, but in so slight a 
form, that she did not require the attendance 
of a physician. The season, too, had been 
very sickly, and among the deaths in the 
colony was that of Gov. Russworm, governor 
of the Maryland colony, a friend to the mis- 
sion, and a sincere Christian. The period of 
the year is one marked by some peculiarities. 
In the latter part of June, the salt-winds be- 
gin to blow, and continue until September. 
These winds are cold and damp. During all 
this season no rain falls, though it is cloudy 
all the time. The trees on the coast lose 
their leaves, and all shrubs that are not shel- 
tered from the sea-breeze. In September the 
latter rains fall, and it is the African spring. 
The dry season corresponds to our winter. 

Mrs. Hoffman was now, however, to pass 
through the process of acclimation, and for 
many succeeding weeks, days and nights of 
weariness and suffering were appointed her. 

" From the first week in June until the last 
of July," she writes, "I have been subject to 
attacks of intermittent fever." This dreary 
period of sickness was cheered by the arrival 
of two of the U. S. ships of war, the John 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 93 

Adams and the Germantown, belonging to 
the squadron on the Coast of Africa. These 
vessels had sailed from Norfolk, the home of 
her dear friends, and many of the officers 
were well known to her. 

"Dr. 8 ," she writes July 29th, "sent 

me a beautiful little basket full of letters. 

Capt. B sent me some Madeira wine and 

some delicious cherry-bounce, which has 
given me a better appetite than anything I 
have taken. These officers sent very kind 
notes, and I longed to see them coming from 
a home so dear, but I hope for that pleasure 
yet." 

The letters by this arrival brought tidings 
of the interesting work of grace in the 
churches of Norfolk in the spring of the year 
1851. This work had been distinguished by 
the accession of fifty colored persons in a 
body to the communion of Christ Church in 
that city. Over this fact she rejoiced with 
great joy. "Often," she writes, "as I had 
thought what could be done by our Church 
for the colored people in Norfolk, I could 
see no way to answer it. But with God all 
things are possible. Do write me of their con- 



94 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

tinuance in attendance upon our services. It 
was an earnest wish of my heart during Lent 
that the windows of heaven might be opened, 
and such a blessing poured out upon you that 
there would not be room enough to receive 
it. But my faith reached not to the colored 
people in Norfolk, and the news you wrote 
was glaci tidings indeed ! I feel almost impa- 
tient to hear that a church is begun for them. 
There will be obstacles and objections, but 
why the command to ' walk by faith and not 
by sight, if there were none of these ? May 
God's blessing rest upon your new school 
(the colored school). Though you may labor 
long and see no fruit, you must remember 
our labor here ; but by the grace of God, 
Hope grows more sure, and Faith brightens, 
alone resting on the promises of the unchang- 
ing God. * * * You will be glad to hear 
that the foundation of our church is rising 
gradually above the ground." 

The months of July and August continued 
remarkably unhealthy, even among the na- 
tives. So many of these died that they 
ceased for a time giving the fatal sassa-wood, 
as they were unwilling to lose any more of 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 95 

their people. During this period Mrs. Hoff- 
man suffered from time to time with sick- 
ness, and was unable to engage in the duties 
of the mission. The duties chiefly devolving 
upon the ladies of the mission were the in- 
struction of the children in the schools, (at 
that time numbering seventy,) conversation 
with the heathen women, and the aiding in 
lightening the burdens of the devoted ser- 
vants of Christ who went forth daily to 
preach the gospel. 

Mrs. Hoffman longed to take her place 
among her sisters in the mission family, but 
bore with cheerfulness and submission her 
long-continued sickness and weakness. "I 
would not/' she says, "have spared one hour 
of my past sickness ; for it has been blessed 
of God to teach me much that I knew 
not." 

The 14th day of October, 1851, brought 
round her nineteenth birth-day ; but eighteen 
years of life passed, yet four of them "in 
Christ" and nearly one year in the mission- 
ary service ! Truly, hers was 

" A flower offered in the bud, 
And no mean sacrifice." 



96 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

She notices its return thus : 

"October 14th, my nineteenth birthday. — 
May I have grace to consecrate myself anew 
to God more and more entirely ! I trust I 
have learned a little of the evil in my heart, 
and that I am longing to live a more holy 
life. Life is uncertain here. Lord, give 
me those dispositions that are meet for 
heaven. 

" November 7th. — Wholly would I be 
God's. I would hate sin and love holiness. 
My Bible shall be my guide. I seek a hea- 
venly and meek spirit — wisdom to aid my 
husband.'' 

The return of this month brought the 
warm season, and with it restoration of 
health to this youthful servant of Christ. 
And with renewed health she entered upon 
her special duties as a missionary. She com- 
menced to teach a Bible class in the boys' 
school. "They first read in English," she 
says, " and then translate it into Grebo. I 
enjoy teaching them very much, as they are 
really good boys, and obedient to me; but 
they are very different from any scholars you 
have ever seen." 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 97 

" November 6th. — It is just four years since 
I was confirmed. I can look back and say 
with my whole heart, 

' happy day, that stayed my choice 
On Thee, my Savior and my God ! ' 

" I feel now more need of working out my 
own salvation with fear and trembling, and 
that Christ must be my all. My Bible is 
more precious. I feel that I need a meek 
and quiet spirit, and more love to Jesus. 

"I trust that my process of acclimation is 
completed, and with how much mercy ! I 
have been able to make such a pleasant visit 
to a town called Do-Do-Lu, with Mr. H. I 
rode on the donkey, and on the way met our 
little cart, and little oxen, bringing stones for 
the church. When we reached the town I 
dismounted and went into the little chapel. 
We sang a hymn in Grebo, and Mr. Hoffman 
spoke, Freeman Clarkson acting as interpre- 
ter. Old and young men, and children came 
to the service, but only one woman. After 
the service we talked with them awhile, and 
I remounted my donkey and rode home 
along the shore. Dabe, a poor leper, who 
7 



yo LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

had held a chair for me while getting into the 
saddle, followed us all the way to get a leaf 

of tobacco for his services. Oh, dear D , 

I am so thankful to be here ! and I am now 
quite well." 

"November 21st. — I have been occupied 
during the past week translating Genesis and 
the Commandments into Grebo, and have 
been teaching them to my class. We have 
been grieved lately by the bad conduct of 
some of our scholars who are Christians ; but 
we have the letters of St. Paul to comfort us, 
as he suffered in like manner. 

" Mr. Hoffman is reading to me the life of 
Mr. Lowrie, a Presbyterian missionary to 
China. He was a lovely character, and it 
does us good to read of his faith." 



LITE AT CAVALLA. 99 



CHAPTER XI. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 

The new year dawned brightly upon her. 
Health had been restored, and she was about 
to enter upon the more active duties of the 
mission. "At the beginning of this new 
year," she writes, "I am able to fully enter 
upon my duties, and trust that I shall not be- 
interrupted in them by ill-health. God's 
will, not mine, however, be done, I would 
still say ; for He sees how we best can glorify 
Him. I intend to spend most of the morn- 
ing in the boys' school, recite Grebo in the 
afternoon, and spend the evening in other 
duties ; and I wish to give two afternoons in 
each week to the people in town." 

The year just closed had been to her the 
most eventful one of her life ; marked by 
much suffering, yet brightened by great spi- 
ritual blessings. To a friend who had sent 
her a present of the volume entitled " Green 



100 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

Pastures for the Lord's Flock," she thus 
writes, under date of January 7th, 1852 : 

" During the past year my way has not al- 
ways seemed to lie among green pastures; 
there have been mountains sometimes over 
which I could not see, and the path has 
wound through narrow passes in the rocks, 
and dark and steep places were before me, 
down which I dared not look, and my only 
guide was the light from above. Yet many 
times I have come to an open space, and have 
seen the end of my journey all fair and 
bright. This is my inner life ; for outwardly 
God has not withheld one blessing from us. 

"January 15th. — This week I have been 
in school, and have the classes quite well 
arranged. To my surprise, the boys have 
been very good. I am making much stricter 
rules than they have been accustomed to. I 
am very much interested in them, and wish 
every day that I could stay in school longer. 
I have a Bible class, geography, arithmetic, 
and spelling classes ; I am writing-teacher 
also, but I fear you will think I need to take 
lessons myself. 

"We have this day buried one of our 



LIFE AT CAYALLA. 101 

teachers, and our best interpreter (Menu, or 
E. M. Lowe). He was absent from the sta- 
tion when he died, having gone with his wife 
to see her relatives. His funeral took place 
here. We all went to the school-house, ac- 
companied by many of the natives. Mr. H. 
read the service, and we then walked to the 
grave-yard, which is in one corner of the 
garden. We were glad to have the natives 
present, as their funeral ceremonies present 
such a strong contrast to ours." 

"February 10th. — One year ago to-day we 
anchored off Cape Palmas, and my life in 
Africa began. Each day has the good hand 
of our God been upon us, and now I am as 
well as when I first trod on this heathen land. 
I little thought I should enjoy such health 
here, and I wait still for what may be God's 
will/' 

"February 12. — This is the afternoon I 
have a little school in Orank-Idade. I went 
out and found about twenty children, some 
of them the same that came last week, and 
they remembered some things I had told 
them before. I wish you could look in upon 
us. One of the school-girls and myself take 



102 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

our seats on low stools in a large native 
house, and the children sit on the floor 
around. We begin with prayer ; then I tell 
them something from the Bible ; then repeat 
a verse of a Grebo hymn, and the Lord's 
Prayer, which they recite after me ; then the 
alphabet. There are many young girls who 
come, and often a number of women gather 
around. How I long that they should re- 
ceive the Word into their hearts ! They 
hear, and understand it with the mind, but 
the Spirit must reach their hearts." 

The mission was now to lose two of its 
most faithful and efficient laborers. The 
Rev. Mr. Hening, who had so faithfully per- 
formed his part, had 'become, some time be- 
fore this period, totally blind. Yet, in the 
midst of this " cloud and ever-during dark," 
he continued to preach Christ to the heathen, 
being led about upon his journeys of mercy. 
His health, however, now became more se- 
riously impaired ; and after repeated attacks 
of dangerous illness, it was deemed best that 
he should return to this country, accompa- 
nied by his wife. The departure of Mrs. 
Hening was a sad event to Mrs. Hoffman. 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 103 

From her first arrival in Africa she had been 
drawn to her by a strong attachment, and 
this had ripened into a close and fervent 
friendship. By a singular providence, this 
excellent Christian woman was led to the 
house of Mrs. Hoffman's sister to die. In the 
month of June, 1853, we watched around 
her dying-bed ; and it was a touching sight 
to behold the blind husband and minister of 
Christ bending over the face whose pallor of 
death he could not see, and breaking to her 
with his own hands the bread of the Lord's 
Supper. Never will the writer of these 
pages forget the sweet peace and triumph of 
that Christian death-bed. 

" Can you give me up ? " was her question 
to him who would so keenly feel her loss, 
and to whom she had been eyes and feet 
amidst his darkness. 

" Yes," was the quick reply, "to Him who 
has loved you with a love far surpassing that 
of mortal, to the general assembly and Church 
of the first-born, to the spirits of just men 
made perfect, and to the blessed company 
of the blood-washed before the throne." 

It was a beautiful summer evening, when, 



104 LIFE AT CAYALLA. 

attended by a large concourse of sympa- 
thizing friends, we laid her dust to rest in the 
quiet cemetery at Norfolk, by the side of two 
of the former pastors of Christ Church, who 
rest from their labors. 

While the Eev. Mr. Hening was on his 
weary way to his native land, others were 
already on the same ocean, speeding their 
way to fill up the gap made by sickness and 
death among the little band of Christ's ser- 
vants in Africa. In the month of May, 1852, 
Bishop Payne, accompanied by Miss Colqu- 
houn and Mr. Rogers, a lay teacher, sailed 
from Hampton Eoads for Cape Palmas. 

How anxiously their arrival was looked for, 
may be gathered from Mrs. Hoffman's letters 
at this period. Her husband, borne down by 
the heavy labors of the station, discharged by 
him alone, had been seriously sick. 

May 22d, she writes : " It is Saturday night, 
11 o'clock. I wrote to Dr. McGill this morn- 
ing, asking him to come down and see Mr. 
H., as he grows worse every day, and he has 
kindly consented to take a journey of twelve 
miles, and will pass the Sabbath with us. Oh ! 
could some of our ministers see my husband 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 105 

ill from fatigue, which he could not avoid — 
no one to direct the affairs of the station, and 
no minister to preach to the people — would 
they not come and help us? Yet why do I 
write thus ? If the love of Christ constrain 
them not, no other motive will. But when 
I think of it, I long for the tongue of fire to 
rest upon God's people in my native land. 

"You may imagine with what longing 
eyes we look towards the broad ocean, and 
watch for the white sails which will bring our 
dear Bishop and other help to our relief.'' 

Mrs. Payne was also at this time prostrated 
by a severe attack of sickness, and at one 
time her life seemed in danger. The whole 
care of the house and the schools devolved 
upon Mrs. Hoffman and Miss Williford, in 
addition to the nursing of the sick. 

June 4th, she writes : " Mr. Hoffman is 
much better. How our hearts beat at every 
noise, thinking it may be the Bishop ! Some- 
times I think that we are looking to him for 
too much happiness. God will make us wait 
His will, and wait until we are more ready to 
leave all our time in His hand. 



106 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

"June 21st. — No tidings of the Bishop 
yet. Mrs. Payne is much better.'' 

It is deeply interesting to trace the path 
of growing conformity to Christ, and meet- 
ness for heaven, by which God led His child 
in the midst of these sore trials and days of 
weariness and suffering. Her letters at this 
time give us some bright glimpses of her 
spiritual life, " a life hid with Christ in God." 

To her sister she says : "I bless God for 
your happiness and health, and for the peace 
which the love of God brings to you. I hesi- 
tate not to say this is my only comfort. All 
earthly things give pain, as w r ell as pleasure ; 
this alone brings peace, calm peace, everlast- 
ing peace. To feel our Father loves me ! — 
what can trouble us then?" 

Nothing in her whole character was more 
beautiful than the deep and unfeigned hu- 
mility and sense of her own unworthiness, in 
contrast with the exalted opinion her dearest 
friends held concerning her. It is indeed 
ever so with the true Christian. Humility is 
the topstone of Christian graces. It will be 
so in heaven. Montgomery truly sings — 



LIFE AT CAY A L LA. 107 

" The saint that wears heaven's highest crown, 
In lowliest adoration bends! 
Nearest the throne itself must be 
The footstool of humility." 

In these glowing terms she expresses her- 
self on the receipt of the great kindnesses of 
her clear friends at Norfolk : — 

" Dear loving ones, would that I had an 
angelic heart or an angelic pen ! How can I 
describe what is now before me. My room is 
strewed with tokens of your love. I know 
not how to thank you. I cannot tell you how 
deep is the spring of joy that gushes up in 
my heart, deepening at each new name, until 
my happiness exceeds all bounds. My Father, 
I thank Thee that Thou hast given me the 
love of so many of Thine own children. ! 
give to them that which I have no power to 
bestow ! 

"To God only, my dear D , must I 

turn, for I am not worthy of so much love. 
You know not how cold, how faithless I 
am !" 

Again, under an attack of sickness : " How 
sweet it is to feel the love of God ! Dr. Chal- 
mers, in speaking of our faith in God, and 



108 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

the realizing of that faith, says : ' Have you 
never experienced a livelier conception at one 
time than another of your friend's unwearied 
regard, trusty attachment, affectionate looks, 
and benignant countenance V We know that 
this is so, — and just as those moments are 
sweetest when earthly friends are brought 
near, so are they passing sweet when God 
manifests himself to us. 

" You can hardly understand what a bless- 
ing books are to us. Detained, as we often 
are, by sickness from the house of God, and 
feeling the need of being ready at all times 
to instruct, and reprove with all meekness, it 
is refreshing to read such w T ords of Godly 
wisdom as come to us from these precious 
monitors. I have been reading 'Bickersteth's 
Family Guide to the Gospels.' To me it 
seems like the breathing of the Holy Spirit. 
I am now reading i Bickersteth's Life.' In 
writing to his sister, he says : ' We should 
write such letters as we would like to read in 
heaven.' " 

God mercifully vouchsafed to them at times 
tokens of His blessing upon their labors 
among the heathen scholars, to cheer them 



LIFE AT C A VALLA. 109 

amidst the gloom of days of sickness and 
loneliness. Such an incident now occurred 
in the peaceful Christian death of one of the 
native boys. 

June 23d, she writes : " On the evening of 
the day on which I last wrote to you, John 
Contee died. As I came to my room to re- 
tire, Mr. Hoffman said that one of the boys 
had just told him that John slept, but he re- 
turned at once to say that it was the sleep of 
death. We went down and found that it was 
true. "Without a sound the spirit had passed 
to its rest with God. The difficulty he had 
in breathing made it almost impossible for 
him to speak ; but we needed not his dying 
testimony. Not one of our scholars has been 
as consistent. The climate of his own home, 
Taboo, agreed much better with him ; but he 
would not leave the Mission ; and when sick 
in town, he asked Mr. H. to let him come to 
us, if he was going to die. Neither was he 
willing for any of the heathen women to come 
near him. Thus are the jewels gathering for - 
the ' many crowns ' of Him whose kingdom 
soon shall come." 



110 LIEE AT CAVALLA. 



CHAPTER XII. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 

At last, after long waiting and watching 
in that far-off home, a day of gladness dawned. 
The little family at Cavalla were quietly 
seated at breakfast on Wednesday, the 8th 
of July, when the glad tidings were announced 
that the vessel was at Cape Palmas with her 
precious freight, the Bishop, Rev. Mr. and 
Mrs. Home, Miss Colquhoun, and Mr. Rogers. 
By the evening, the Bishop was in his own 
loved house. "None but a loving wife," 
writes Mrs. H., "who has had the trial, can 
know the joy to Mrs. Payne." 

Bishop Payne returned to his African 
home with renewed zeal and earnestness. 
"Last night, at prayers," writes Mrs. Hoff- 
man," "our beloved Bishop offered up such 
an earnest prayer. It was the outpouring of 
gratitude, and a new dedication of himself 
and us to our blessed work. He has returned 



LIFE AT CAYALLA. Ill 

to his work with so much earnestness, and a 
heart full of love and zeal, that we must be 
cold indeed not to be stirred to diligence by 
him." 

Plans were now formed for enlarging the 
missionary work, and new stations were estab- 
lished. At Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, 
a mission-house was at once commenced. 
Mr. and Mrs. Home were yet at Cavalla, 
passing through their acclimation, but were 
soon to take charge of the station at Eock- 
town, left vacant by the departure of Mr. and 
Mrs. Henine. The mission-fa mil v at Cavalla 
was augmented by the addition of Mr. Eo- 
gers and Miss Colquhoun, who were appoint- 
ed to assist in the work of the schools. Mrs. 
Hoffman's health had suffered much lately 
from the climate, and she had been frequently 
prostrated by attacks of fever ; still she had 
been able to continue her work of teaching 
in the boys' school, and it was with deep re- 
gret that she yielded her post to another. 

"Mr. Sogers," she writes, June 12th, 
" will, I suppose, take my place in the boys' 
school. For my own sake I shall be sorry ; 
I love the boys, and it is pleasant to meet 



112 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

their bright faces every morning, and to 
teach them of so many things all strange to 
them. It is a great advantage to them to 
have a gentleman for a teacher, and I can 
find enough work among the heathen to oc- 
cupy me. I have formed a plan for myself, 
though I have not mentioned it to Mr. H. 
yet, that when Mr. Rogers is able to take the 
school I will devote every afternoon to teach- 
ing the town children. I have been in the 
habit of going every Wednesday to one 
town ; then, I shall be able to go to others." 
About this period she became deeply inte- 
rested in the study of the prophecies of the 
Scripture ; and in reading the life of Bick- 
ersteth, she was led to adopt the belief held 
by so many earnest Christians, both in Eng- 
land and America, of the personal advent of 
Christ, to reign on this earth, surrounded by 
His redeemed people. Many of the senti- 
ments expressed in her letters, at this time 
and afterwards, can be understood only by 
reference to this opinion. July 9th, she 
writes to her sister, " For one reason alone, 
above all others, I would love to see you — 
to tell you of the bright hopes that now 



LIFE AT C A VALLA. 113 

cheer me. I could fill pages, but you have 
these precious truths in God's holy Word. 
They are the hopes of my Savior's coining; 
not, as at first, in great humility, but with 
His angels, in great glory, and when Ave His 
people shall be as priests and kings before 
Him ; sin for ever gone, and 'holiness to the 
Lord' inscribed on our foreheads, and all our 
powers employed in serving Him whom having 
not seen we love, and in whom, though now 
w T e see Him not, yet, believing, we rejoice 
with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
Higher and higher let our aims be, dear sis- 
ter. Thy will be done on earth as it is in 
heaven. So let ns try to do His will, and 
we can do all things through Christ strength- 

O CD O 

ening us. ' Complete in Him,' ' our life hid 
with Christ in God,' ourselves vile earth and 
miserable sinners, and Christ all in all — let 
these be our mottoes. " 

But little variety marked her missionary 
life. Day after day brought the same round 
of duties, and oftentimes its portion of suf- 
fering. Occasionally this quiet life was 
cheered by the appearance of a United States 
man-of-war off the coast. In the month of 
8 



114 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

August the brig Perry arrived at Cape Pal- 
raas, bringing her tidings from home. The 
commander of the Perry was Captain P., 
a resident of Norfolk, and an earnest com- 
municant of Christ's Church. 

Under date of August 23d, she thus no- 
tices his visit to Cavalla : " On Sunday morn- 
ing I was not able to go to church, but was 
spending the time reading to Mrs. Home, 
when Captain P. arrived, accompanied by 
E. T. It proved a delightful visit to me. I 
took them into my room, that they might see 
how pleasant it was. They dined with us, 
and the Bishop, with all our family, were de- 
lighted with his Christian frankness. They 
were obliged to leave immediately after din- 
ner, to return to the Cape ; but this was not 
our last meeting with them ; for on Monday 
Mr. H. and I went to the Cape, to take the 
infant of Mrs. Home, which Dr. M'Gill had 
kindly offered to receive into his house, 
and carry it through the fever, God helping 
him. 

" Monday was a bright day. Captain Pond 
and three of his officers came on shore in the 
afternoon. I spent the afternoon in asking 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 115 

questions about all the dear friends in Nor- 
folk. The Captain wanted me to go on board 
the Perry, and I was anxious to do so ; but 
while talking to him I felt a chill creeping 
over me, and was obliged to forego the plea- 
sure." 

September 5th brought round the second 
anniversary of her marriage. "Peacefully 
and happily," she writes, "has the day passed. 
I well remember the solemn vows and earn- 
est resolutions, and I feel how far I have 
fallen below their fulfilment. Perhaps you 
will wonder how, then, I can say that the 
day has passed peacefully. But it is Com- 
munion-Sunday ; and while I have endea- 
vored to find out the depth of sin in my 
heart, Christ as the Savior of sinners, and as 
my Savior, seemed infinitely precious; the 
peace which the Spirit gives passeth all un- 
derstanding. Pray for me, that the remain- 
ing years of my life may be better spent." 

" Many lessons my Father hast Thou taught 
me during the past two years ; some I hope I 
have learned. In Thy strength may I strive 
to pray more for my husband ; to walk each 
day nearer to God ; to read, study, and me- 



116 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

ditate more on Thy word ; to speak with my 
husband more of our home above ; in our 
family to be more loving and holy-minded ; 
to the natives to be more kind, and pray 
more for them. 

"My Father, I am happy in Thy love and 
in Thy blessings." 

" October 8th. — I have had a new under- 
standing, this past month, of the blessedness 
of being 'in Christ.' I have felt it; some- 
times I can only read of it. M'Cheyne's life 
I am just finishing, and it has proved a bless- 
ing to me, so Christlike is his character ; yet 
in reading it you do not think of him ; every- 
thing is Christ alone — Christ for us, all our 
righteousness ; Christ in us, all our strength." 

Under the same date, she says, " Our work 
is prospering, and our hearts cannot but be 
glad. All of our new laborers have safely 
passed through the fever, and are engaged at 
their stations. Mr. Rogers has taken the 
boys' school, and I now have the sewing- 
school and the lessons of a young colonist 
boy to occupy my mornings. 

" The Bishop is forming plans for extend- 
ing the mission-field, and God has blessed 



LIFE AT C A VALLA. 117 

him In them abundantly. The building at 
Cape Palmas for our Orphan Asylum is pro- 
gressing rapidly, and in the spring we hope 
for the missionaries who are to take charge 
of it. In the towns around Mr. Hoffman 
has established Sunday-schools, and in two 
we are trying to get day-schools, to learn the 
children to read in Grebo. Our boarding- 
schools are full, and well supplied with good 
teachers." 

October 11th she writes still more cheer- 
ing news : "I have to tell you of the way in 
which God is favoring our Monrovia mission 
by bringing into our ranks an excellent la- 
borer, Mr. Russel. Mr. R. is a colored man 
with an excellent mind, and self-taught ; an 
humble, earnest-minded Christian, and very 
energetic. He is now a Methodist clergy- 
man, and has been for years a missionary 
among the Golan natives, near Monrovia. 
Believing the system of itineracy to be in- 
jurious to any work among these people, he 
had determined to leave the Methodist 
Church, but had not yet decided where to 
go, when Providence led him to Cape Pal- 
mas, and he found that we had work in 



118 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

abundance and but few to do it. He deter- 
mined to cast in his lot with, us, and on the 
1st of January next he becomes a candidate 
for orders. The Bishop wishes him to take 
a station on the St. Paul's River, near Mon- 
rovia, and he will have native Golahs and 
colonists under his charge. We cannot be 
too thankful for the accession of Mr. Russel. 
I believe it is in answer to the prayers of so 
many Christians interceding for us. Mr. 
Russell has always been opposed to the excite- 
ment in their religious services so common 
among the colonist members of the Methodist 
Church. He is also already acquainted with 
the Golah language." 

Another anniversary of her birth was at 
hand, and found her restored to health, and 
happy in the great work of her life. On the 
14th of October she was twenty years of age, 
and two of those years had been spent in 
this life of stern sacrifice and suffering for 
Christ's sake. 

"I must write you a few words," she says, 
"to tell you my reflections on this my twen- 
tieth birth-day. It is a beautiful day, and I 
am feeling very well, as it is our spring. 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 119 

Yesterday I went to my little school in town, 
and enjoyed it very much. On my return I 
had a play with my little namesake. She is 
a little darling, though very black. 

" I have tried lately to impress upon my- 
self the duty of caring first for my own soul, 
that it should rest alone upon Jesus, and be 
altogether fixed upon Him. He is ' the Rose 
of Sharon and the Lily of the valley.' 'As the 
apple-tree among the trees of the wood, I sat 
under His shadow with great delight, and 
His fruit was sweet to my taste. So shall I 
be all fair, and no spot in me, and my light 
shall shine.' 

"Oct. 18th, Monday. — "We had a very 
large congregation in town yesterday, and 
were gratified to find how quiet the people 
were. We had seen a woman on Saturday 
just recovering from sassa-wood, and we 
thought she might make a noisy triumph, as 
her husband was a great man, and she his 
head wife. 

" Oct. 28th. — I am quite busy now in many 
w r ays connected with our work. I love to give 
my time directly to God. It is a privilege I 
do not value half so highly as I ought. I have 



120 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

begun a prayer-meeting with the ladies every 
Friday night. 

" Nov. 1st. — Our hearts were rejoiced yes- 
terday by hearing Samuel, the young colo- 
nist, who lives with us, say that he thought 
God had changed his heart. 

"Nov. 7th. — Five years it is since in much 
ignorance and weakness I gave myself to God. 
This past year I have grievously sinned in 
falling short of my duty to Him. What could 
I say, had I not the precious blood of Jesus 
in which to wash and be clean ? And I would 
resolve in God's strength to live this year 
abiding in Thee my Savior, wholly devoted 
to Thy service — doing whatever my hands 
find to find to do — letting no opportunity 
pass for speaking a word in season. 

" A prayerful, loving, and holy life I desire 
to live, striving in all things to be like unto 
Thee, O God ! 

"Nov. 24th. — The Bishop intends having 
Confirmation at Cape Palmas on Christmas- 
clay, and I hope to go up to the examination 
at the High School, and remain over Sunday. 
This week I begin to go on each Thursday 
afternoon to the large (native) town. Last 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 121 

Saturday, I had a pleasant visit to the natives. 
God gave me strength to speak to them of 
Jesus, and whether they hear or forbear, He 
has been set before them. I still continue to 
feel very well, and am surprised at what I am 
able to do without fatigue. 

"I have a sprig of mignionette in bloom, 
and the fragrance is so home-like. 

" Dec. 2d. — I wish I could send you a little 
bud to tell you how well I am. The Bishop 
says I look quite American-like. Yesterday 
I went to my native school, and afterwards 
took a long walk with Mr. Hoffman, yet came 
home stronger than when I left. In my walk 
I attempted speaking a little Grebo, and found 
that I was understood. This afternoon I go 
to Kwia's-town ; it is near our home, and the 
population is a quiet one. We were so pleased 
last Sunday in town to hear the native chil- 
dren repeat the Lord's Prayer and the Con- 
fession with us in Grebo. They have learned 
this in the afternoon school. 

"Dec. 14th. — I have been so well, lately, 
that I have been able to go out a great deal, 
and I have become better acquainted with the 
native women. It is sad to find how little 



122 LIFE AT C AVAL LA. 

tliey can understand of spiritual things; how 
truly the first chapter of Romans describes 
their condition. 

" I am going to send you a little newspaper, 
printed here, by a young native, educated in 
our schools. It is printed upon a press owned 
by our mission. It is called the " Cavalla 
Messenger," and is published monthly. We 
all contribute to it. The Bishop is sending 
it to some of the Sunday-schools at home, 
to induce the children to subscribe to it as 
the mode of leading them to think about the 
mission. 

" The part printed in Grebo is intended for 
our children here." 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 123 



CHAPTEE XIII. 

LIFE AT CAVALLA. — CONTINUED. 

The new year, 1853, opened with, bright 
prospects before this little band of God's ser- 
vants, laboring to spread the knowledge of 
Christ among the thousands of Africa's dark- 
ened tribes. General good health was en- 
joyed by all the members of the mission- 
family; and with hearts expanding with 
love to the perishing souls around them, they 
entered with renewed zeal on the work of 
another year. Besides his duties among the 
natives, Mr. Hoffman had the pastoral over- 
sight of a church of the colonists at Cape 
Palmas. For the first time in the history of 
the mission, Confirmation was administered 
by the Bishop on Christmas day. In a letter 
dated January 10th, Mrs. Hoffman alludes 
to this interesting event, which she witnessed. 



124 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

"My dearest Sister: 

" The first month of the new year is al- 
most half gone, and I have not written you 
one word ; but my thoughts are often with 
you, and you have my best wishes and prayers 
for a happy new year. How pleasant it is to 
know that there is an unerring Hand weav- 
ing the thread of our life, and that not one 
strand can break until it has accomplished 
His will ! 

"I have quite an interesting history to re- 
late to you of our life during the past month. 
On the 20th and 21st of December the exa- 
mination took place at the High School situ- 
ated at Mount Vaughan. Mr. Rogers, Mr. 
Hoffman, and myself attended it, and on 
Thursday the girls' school under the care of 
Mrs. Thompson. Friday we spent at Mrs. 
C.'s, at the Cape. It seemed quite home-like 
to see them filling the children's stockings, 
and Mrs. McGill had two immense dolls, and 
a little table, set with little dishes, from 
which the children took breakfast. 

" Christmas day we all gathered to wit- 
ness our first Confirmation. -Mr. Hoffman 
and Mr. Pinckney (a colored man) read the 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 125 

service, and the Bishop preached. Mr. Home 
was not well enough to come down from 
Pocktown. We trust this service will tend 
to attach our members more to the Church, 
for very few of them were brought up in it. 
The Bishop returned to Cavalla the same 
evening. We remained, and Mr. Hoffman 
administered the communion the following 
Sunday. I have seldom enjoyed my hus- 
band's preaching as much as then ; his sub- 
ject was, our full, free, and finished salvation. 
I could not but feel thankful that it was my 
husband's office to proclaim such glad tidings. 
He left me that night, as I was not able to 
walk out to Mount Vaughan, and I spent the 
evening with Mrs. B., who had that morning 
joined with us at communion. 

" On Monday the Bishop wrote us that the 
brig Perry was off Cavalla, and we returned 
that evening, but too late to see Captain P. 
Tuesday, the officers were on shore. Wednes- 
day, at 12 o'clock, Mr. H. and I seated our- 
selves for the first time in a man-of-war's boat, 
to visit the Perry. I do not wonder that you 
like it, for I found it charming. Captain P. 
received us on board, and led me to a sweet, 



126 LIFE AT CAVALLA. 

cool seat on the top of his cabin. He fired 
off two shells for us to see, and took us to 
his cabin ; which is small but very neat. The 
table was placed on deck, that we might not 
be incommoded; and I enjoyed a piece of 
turkey from one of the islands and a Vir- 
ginia ham exceedingly. We walked aroundi 
to see some parts of the ship, and about five 
returned to the shore. This was my first 
visit to one of our men-of-war, and truly it 
was delightful. None of the other ladies 
could venture, being easily made sea-sick. 
You cannot tell how white all the crew looked 
to me, and how strange it was to see so many, 
when we have seen only natives for so long 
a time. 

"That day's visit raised my spirits very 
much ; it was so sweet to see home faces, and 
talk about you all, I almost forgot that we 
were in Africa. Captain P. asked me if we 
would not be ready to go home when he 
called as;ain ; but I trust we mav be able to 
continue some years yet. Though, if life is 
spared, I feel that in the course of time we 
shall need to recruit. 

" Since our visit I have had chills, and 



LIFE AT CAYALLA. 127 

have been more prostrated than usual ; but I 
am well now, though weak. This is our 
warmest season, and I feel the heat very 
much. Mrs. Payne is in bed with fever, and 
Miss Williford preparing to go home in 
April. Our vacation ends this week, and I 
regret it ; for Miss W. is hardly able to keep 
out of bed. We are expecting daily, how- 
ever, a reinforcement; Mr. and Mrs. Scott 
and Miss Freeman." 

In the latter part of this month Mr. and 
Mrs. Scott and Miss Freeman arrived, bring- 
ing joy to the hearts of the missionaries, now 
enfeebled by sickness and exhausting labors. 
At this time Mrs. Payne, Miss Williford, and 
Miss Colquhoun were prostrated. Mrs. Hoff- 
man retained a tolerable share of health. 

February 15th, she writes, " My husband 
had an attack of fever last week — the first 
since last May. Has he not been upheld? 
He is now well again, though weak. Yester- 
day completed our two years' residence here ; 
and as we looked back upon the mercies 
which have encompassed us, w^e felt that we 
had abundant cause to make it a day of 
thanksgiving. " 



128 LIFE AT CA VALLA. 

On the 16th of February she was cheered 
by a visit from another United States vessel, 
the John Adams, and an interview of several 
hours with two officers from her own loved 
Norfolk. 

"We are left at this period, and for several 
successive months, with very scanty records 
of her life. Her health became more deli- 
cate, and she was laid aside from many 
active duties. The whole mission-family at 
Cavalla suffered also greatly from sickness, 
and it was determined that Mrs. Payne and 
Miss Williford should return to this country 
to seek restoration to health in the more ge- 
nial climate of the land of their birth. Death, 
too 3 entered that happy home, and called to 
her rest one of its most lovely spirits. 

Mrs. Scott (Miss Jane Harrison) was a na- 
tive of Richmond, Virginia, where, in early 
life she had " chosen the good part" under 
the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Empie. An 
earnest, devoted, and active Christian, she 
felt a longing to consecrate herself to the 
work of foreign missions, and in 1850 offered 
herself for the China mission to return with 
Bishop Boone. Her way not yet being made 



LIFE AT. C A VALLA. 129 

easy for her departure, she consented to wait 
until the providence of God should open a 
path more clear before her. In 1852 she 
united her lot with that of the Rev. H. R. 
Scott, a missionary just appointed for Africa, 
and leaving a home of comfort and peace, 
went forth for Christ's sake to tell the hea- 
then of His dying-love. Like Harriet Newel, 
she was only permitted to see the land of her 
adoption, and then was called home. But 
her work was done, and long will her me- 
mory be cherished by friends in her native 
city as one of the precious jewels of the 
Lord. We find many precious words in Mrs. 
H's journal at this period : — 

" February 27. — Again I would turn my 
thoughts to Faith, for the little I did so last 
week showed me how blessed it was. Jesus 
is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. 
I must never doubt God's love in any of his 
dealings. Abrani did not, and he is called 
the friend of God. for grace to fit me to 
bear a like name ! 

" March 2d. — My prayers are answered, 
and two of my little God-children are safe 
9 



130 LIFE AT CAYALLA. 

from Satan's wiles. Virginia Clarkson was 
buried this morning. 

" March 5th. — "Went to town in the after- 
noon, but found only a few. Spoke faithfully 
to some, not to all. 

" March 6th. — Had a sweet season of prayer. 
My faith was confirmed that God is one that 
heareth prayer, for I learned that Virginia 
Wisner had died. My three God-children are 
now safe in His arms, who said, ' Suffer little 
children to come unto me.' 

"March 15th. — Had a chill on Saturday. 
At church Sunday all day. Wish to fix my 
mind on repentance this week. Monday 
morning felt my chill; was very weak all 
day. 

" May 29th. First Sunday after Trinity.— 
Since my last date I have been mostly con- 
fined to my bed. We spent two weeks at 
Mount Vaughan the first of this month. I 
know whose kind hand has sent every pain, 
and have felt it was for my good. Yet often 
have I been impatient and fretful, and un- 
" mindful of the mercies which He daily sends. 

"June 5th, Sunday. — I awoke this morn- 
ing with something of a grateful heart for my 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 131 

renewed health, and for my Saviour's love. 
This is the first Sabbath since March that I 
have felt well. Oh ! my Father, renew my 
soul after Thine own image by Thy Spirit. 
Sanctify these past afflictions to me. They 
will do me no good unless Thou so doest. 
May I learn more the entire vileness of my 
own heart, and Christ to be my only hope. 
To Thee I look to uphold me in the coming 
hour of trial. I will trust, and not be afraid. 
Take us and all we have, and use us for Thy- 
self. Mrs. S is more unwell ; the Doctor 

is here to see her. None of the ladies but 
myself are able to attend communion. My 
Saviour's love seemed sweet. Oh ! that it 
might wholly constrain me. 

" June 6th. — Eebecca (the little maid) 

came early and said Mrs. S was dead. 

What a lesson to me! Be ye also ready. 
"What a tender rebuke to my murmuring 
spirit. Oh ! my Father, if my hour of trial 
be Thy appointed time for calling me hence, 
it is well now ; and then let Jesus be my only 
hope, 'His righteousness my glorious robe, 
my beauteous dress.' None of us are well 
enough to go to the funeral at four o'clock 



132 LIFE AT CAYALLA. 

this afternoon. I had a light fever. Our 
plans are all uncertain, but we trust in Thee, 
oh God ; we know that Thou wilt do as it 
seemeth good, and we say, ' Speak, Lord, for 
Thy servant heareth.' 

" July 2d, Saturday. — We came to Mount 
Vaughan. I was grateful to be here. Sun- 
day, had a hard chill and fever. Monday, 
July 4th, God brought me out of all my trou- 
bles, and gave us a darling daughter, which 
we give back to Him, praying she may be 
His from earliest days. 

"August 7th. — Through a painful sick- 
ness God has brought me, and recovered my 
strength, and to-day I have endeavored to 
dedicate myself wholly to Him. * * I pray 
that we may be filled with the Spirit, and go 
zealously to our work; and that in all our 
ways we may be guided by Thy hand, plainly 
pointing the way we ought to go. 

"August 13th. — To-morrow I hope to 
commemorate our Saviour's love. How great 
has it been to me, in raising me up from sick- 
ness; but greater still, in my redemption. 
Give me grace to devote myself more wholly 
to Thee, in praying for my husband, my child, 
and servant, and in prayer and labor for our 



LIFE AT CAVALLA. 133 

people. His mercies are without number. 
Give me to feel my weakness and my sinful- 
ness, and to look alone to Jesus. 

" Sept. 5th. — Our wedding-day. * * * 
God has most graciously helped me in ruling 
my household and controlling my temper. 
Help me still, my Father. 

" Oct. 9th. — * * Carried our babe to 
baptism. Our dear little girl behaved well. — 
' Kate Seton.' We give her to Thee, our God, 
and believe that Thou dost receive her. We 
look up to Thee for wisdom to guide her. 

"Oct 14th. — My twenty-first birth-day, 
and still I am spared and blessed. * * * 
God has sent many messages during the past 
year to warn my soul : let me give heed and 
seek the Spirit more and more. There are 
solemn duties resting on me in this position. 
Give me strength, Father ; make me holy 
in heart and mind, raised above earth, living 
in heaven — and -having tasted the blessed- 
ness, let me bring others to it, yea, bring all. 

" Oct. 31st. — Oh ! for a heavenly mind, for 
watchfulness, that amidst all earth's cares, I 
may rise above them. Make me watchful 
and prayerful, daily growing in meetness for 
heaven." 



134 "faint, yet pursuing/ 7 



CHAPTER XIV. 



"FAINT, yet pursuing." 



"A man on earth He wandered once, 

All meek and undefiled: 
And those who loved Him, said 'He wept'- 

None ever said He smiled, 
Yet there might have been a smile unseen, 
When He bowed His holy face, I ween, 

To bless that happy child." 



In the month of July of this year, a new 
era opened in the life of Mrs. Hoffman. As 
we have seen in the last chapter, she be- 
came the mother of a sweet babe. God 
was merciful to her, and brought her safely 
through her trial. Under the skilful and kind 
treatment of Dr. McGill, in whose house she 
was kindly received and watched over with 
unceasing care, her health was soon restored, 
and she was fitted to return to her duties. 

Her first record after this event is dated 
August 8th, 1853 : — 

" Since I last wrote you, I have another 
claimant on your interests here, in the shape 



f FAINT, YET PURSUING.'' 135 



of a little African, who is notwithstanding as 
fair as possible, with blue eyes and light hair, 
looking very like my clear husband. We call 
her Kate, and next week hope to have her 
baptized by the Bishop, at St. Marks, which 
is Mr. Hoffman's church at this place (Cape 
Palmas). I do not intend to let my precious 
one take away my thoughts, or occupy all my 
time, so that my work will suffer. During 
my sickness, I was counting how many, since 
I left home, had gone before me, and would 
welcome me, if my time had come ; and truly 
it was a goodly number that in three years 
have entered into rest; but the sweetest 
thought to me was that Jesus was there. His 
love has especially of late seemed to me truly 
to pass all understanding. 

" Since I last wrote you, we have been 
called to stand beside a death-bed, about the 
same time that you were watching the depar- 
ture of our beloved sister, Mrs. Hening. Mrs. 
Scott was so much under the influence of 
opiates as to be unconscious in her last mo- 
ments, and without a struggle her spirit left 
its earthly tenement, to be ' clothed upon, that 
mortality might be swallowed up of life." 



136 "faint, yet pursuing." 

"I have daily lessons that behind a frown- 
ing providence our Father ever hides a smi- 
ling face. I see it towards others, and have 
felt it too often to correct myself; yet I am 
distrustful when the clouds arise. How happy 
might we be, if with childlike confidence we 
would say, ' It is well.' 

" Cavalla, August 30th. — Once again re- 
stored to our home, made doubly dear by two 
months' absence, and with my babe sleeping 
in such perfect health, and my own strength 
so much restored, I have surely cause for 
thankfulness. 

" On Friday, our two sisters leave us for 
America. The health of both is very delicate. 

"Mrs. Payne leaves me housekeeper, and 
I am busy trying to get the last directions. 
The girls' school is under a native teacher, as 
Miss Colquhoun is still unable to take charge. 
Mr. Rogers has the boys, and I have the sew- 
ing school." 

Mrs. Hoffman greatly rejoiced at the tidings 
which this last mail brought from home, of 
the accession of so many souls to the fold of 
Christ's Church in Norfolk, at the last Easter, 
and among them of many well known to her. 



"faint, yet pursuing." 137 

To one of these, who had been a Sunday 
scholar in her class in Norfolk, she thus pours 
forth her heart : — 

"Your letter, my dear C , conveying 

to me the glad intelligence that you had felt 
your heart drawn by the love of Christ to 
consecrate yourself to Him, came to me the 
23d of June. Nothing but sickness prevented 
my sending you an answer at once. You 
cannot know how much joy it gave me; it 
was what I had often prayed for. It was a 
sweet comfort to me, on my sick bed, to think 
the time was past, and that you had openly 
declared yourself on the Lord's side. That I 
need no longer pray that your heart might 
be awakened to see God's great love to you, 
but that the same prayer I offer for myself 
should be for you ; that ' He who had begun 
a good work in us, would perform it until the 
clay of Jesus Christ.' I trust you will never 
be contented with being a half-hearted Chris- 
tian, but give your whole heart and all your 
powers to Him who died for you. The Holy 
Spirit's aid we must constantly seek, or else 
we can do nothing. You are blessed with 
many religious privileges ; be careful to im- 



138 "faint, yet pursuing." 

prove them, for you may not always be able 
to enjoy them. I shall hope, now, that you 
will love to remember us in your prayers, for 
as you have felt the blessedness of having 
your sins forgiven, you will long that every 
one should enjoy the same inestimable bless- 
ing. I shall feel an increased interest in hear- 
ing from you now, and learning of your ad- 
vancement in holiness, for you must remem- 
ber we cannot stand still ; we are daily grow- 
ing more or less meet for heaven." 

The family at Cavalla was at this time 
much reduced in number. The Bishop had 
accompanied Mrs. Payne and Miss "Williford 
as far as Monrovia, and for two months was 
absent upon the duties of the mission. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hoffman, Miss Colquhoun, Mr. 
Eogers, and the Eev. Mr. Scott were all 
left to discharge the duties. During the ab- 
sence of the Bishop God gave them tokens 
of His favor in an increased interest in the 
gospel among the men of the Grebo tribe 
around them. " One old man," writes Mrs. 
H., Nov. 7, " we trust is truly converted — 
the first of the natives who, without attend- 
ing our schools, has turned to God. He 



"faint, yet pursuing." 189 

comes often to hear the Bible read and ex- 
plained, and we only wait the Bishop's return 
from Monrovia to witness his baptism. 

" We observed the first Thursday of this 
month as a day of thanksgiving. "We en- 
joyed it very much ; for we felt that we had 
abundant cause for thanks onvin g. And not 
alone for temporal blessings did our praises 
ascend ; for since my last sickness God seems 
to have given me clearer views of His holi- 
ness, leading me to renounce all trust in my- 
self and rely more on the righteousness of 
Christ. And are we ever as happy as when 
making Jesus our all in all, our only Strength 
and Eighteousness ? " 

The year 1853 was an eventful one to Mrs. 
Hoffman for other reasons. In the summer 
several of her most intimate friends in Nor- 
folk had been removed by death ; two of them 
closely connected with her by family ties. 
These sad tidings did not reach her until De- 
cember ; and, though sorrowing deeply over 
their loss, it is delightful to mark the spirit 
of thankfulness to God with which she re- 
ceives trial from His hand. 

December 3d she writes to one of the be- 



140 "FAINT, YET PURSUING. " 

reaved ones, and one very dear to her, " Bless- 
ed, blessed be God, dear D. ! blessed be His 
holy name, that he hath called to Himself the 
objects of our love; that these heads of ours 
are bowed, and these bodies even are bent 
beneath the burden of a saddened spirit ! At 
the very time when the glories of eternity 
were unfolded to F's glorified spirit, I was 
beside the Dark River which he had passed, 
and I was thinking of the many dear ones 
who waited to welcome me ; but I knew not 
of him. For thirteen years you, my dear 
friend, I for six, have been travelling home- 
ward. He who hath kept us will keep us 
still, and none shall pluck us out of His 
hand. Let patience have her perfect work. 
I will not mourn for F. ; he is serving, glori- 
fying, and praising God without sin. We 
have no time to mourn; our Father has a 
work for us to do — either to do or to suffer 
His will; and the time is short for us to show 
our obedience. May we have grace to rise 
above this world ; and while bur bodies are 
detained here yet a little while, may oui 
souls' life be ' hid with Christ in God ! ' " 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 141 



CHAPTEE XV. 

HOMEWARD BOUND. 

The close of the year 1853 was to bring to 
Mrs. Hoffman a change little anticipated or 
even desired by her. Her strength began to 
fail more rapidly as the year drew to its close ; 
and repeated attacks of sickness had rendered 
her unable to discharge any duty. The 
health of Mr. Hoffman was also seriously im- 
paired. Nearly three years had been spent 
in Africa, and they began to think of a visit 
to their native land in search of health. Yet 
they hesitated to leave the mission, enfeebled 
as it was by the absence of Mrs. Payne and 
Miss Williford in America. Her feelings at 
the opening of the new year are thus ex- 
pressed : 

" January 1st. — The hopes of the past year 
have been realized, and our darling babe is 
sleeping in health. Trials have been passed 
through, and our God has safely and tenderly 



142 HOMEWARD BOUND. 

delivered us in them all. Yes, and He will 
yet deliver. Duties ! Oh, they have been 
too unfaithfully performed. Self, and not 
Thee, my God, has been too much wor- 
shipped ; and now what is before us ? Thou 
knowest. If we are led homeward by Thee, 
give us grace in our varied situations to mag- 
nify Thy holy name ; and if it be not Thy 
will for us to go, prevent us. We ask Thee 
so to do. Let me learn to commune hourly 
with Thee." 

Nothing but stern necessity could have in- 
duced these faithful missionaries to leave, 
even for a time, their loved work among the 
heathen. Soon, however, tidings reached 
them 'of a joyful character from home, which 
decided their course, New laborers were on 
their way to join their little band; and on 
the 8th of January eight missionaries arrived 
at Cape Palmas. These were Mr. and Mrs. 
Rambo, Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Miss Smith, 
Miss Ball, Dr. and Miss Steele. The way 
was now open for Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman to 
leave; and on the 16th of January, 1854, 
they embarked on the ship Banshee, bound 
to Rio Janiero. 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 143 

"What will you say," she writes to a friend, 
from on board the ship, " when you read by 
this that we are on our way home ? You 
know that the only reason that could take us 
home is inability to live in Africa. Sickness 
alone has forced us to leave. Much as we 
love to revisit our loved home and friends, 
it is hard to forsake our happy home in Af- 
rica, and our blessed work, which ' might fill 
an angel's heart, and filled the Savior's 
hands.' We go hoping to gain strenth for 
body and soul, that we may return again 
strong to work for God. How sweet it will 
be to see a Christian land again, and enjoy 
its privileges!" 

At Eio de Janeiro, they took passage on 
the bark "Indus," for the United States, and 
after a voyage of forty-eight days from that 
port, and seventy-three from Africa, reached 
" the haven where they would be," in renewed 
health, on the 3d of April. Who shall tell the 
feelings with which Mrs. Hoffman first looked 
upon the faces and met the glad embraces of 
her friends in Norfolk ? It was indeed a chas- 
tened pleasure ; many loved ones were miss- 
ing who bade her God-speed as she left home 



144 HOMEWARD BOUND. 

more than three years before. Her loved 
sister's home was, however, full of brightness 
to her, and deep and rich was her joy to press 
once more to her heart that only sister and 
her precious little ones, the youngest of whom 
she had never before seen. 

" Norfolk, May 7th, 1854. — It is three 
years and nine months since I last met in this 
then dear home, and sought for strength in 
future duties at the table Thy love provides. 
Do I not feel that I have been much strength- 
ened ? But for Thy grace I should have 
fallen — but for thy grace I should have re- 
turned disgraced. Let me daily magnify Thy 
wondrous love ! Praise thou the Lord, O my 
soul. God has rewarded my endeavors to 
rejoice in His will. 

"I listened with a thrilling heart to our 
brother, the Rev. Eobt. Smith, from the words, 
' Brethren, I count not myself to have appre- 
hended,' &c. Phil. cxi. 13. It was rich food 
for my soul. 

" May 14th. Sunday after Easter. — Through 
the past week Thy grace has enabled me to 
draw nearer to Thee. Three times a day I 
have and would continue thus to seek Thee. 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 145 

" May 21st. — A bright morning. Conven- 
tion in session. * * * My last Sunday 
here for some time." 

The one great object of this visit to their 
native land was the restoration of health ; but 
it was far from their desire to remain idle 
during this period. They felt that much could 
be done by their intercourse with the Church 
at home, and by kindling anew in many hearts 
an interest in their work in Africa. Alas ! 
it must be recorded to the reproach of the 
professed people of God that these devoted 
servants of Christ found everywhere, to a 
great extent, apathy and unconcern with re- 
gard to this the noblest work of the Church 
of Christ. True, there were those in different 
places whose hearts beat responsive to their 
own, and who ever remembered in their 
prayers God's work among the heathen, but 
these were only the exceptions. The writer 
of these pages knows too truly how the heart 
of this Christian woman sunk within her to 
find the Church at home so little alive to its 
duty to the heathen, and how, oftentimes feel- 
ing her loneliness and the want of deep sym- 
pathy with her work, she longed to be once 
10 



146 HOMEWARD BOUND. 

more in her humble home in Africa, and 
among those who like her had given up all 
for Christ. 

Who will deny that it is too true that as a 
Church we are sadly behind our duty, and 
wanting in a true appreciation of this great 
work, and the claims of the heathen upon us ? 
If the true ideal of an earnest, faithful Church 
were realized, how different would be the 
scene ! Every minister of the Church would 
be faithful in pressing upon the people of his 
flock their duty to the heathen — every church- 
member would bear the cause upon his heart 
in prayer — the whole Church would be a 
company of missionaries enlisted for the con- 
version of a world to Christ, and the laborers 
in heathen lands would be only the advance- 
guard of this mighty army, with whom would 
go forth the intense anxieties and sympathy 
of the whole sacramental host of God's elect. 
How depressing, how disheartening to one 
of these, to return from long years of labor, 
worn out by severe toil in an uncongenial 
climate, and find everywhere the great body 
of Christians unresponsive to their own w^arm 
and glowing zeal for Christ's cause, and love 
for the perishing ! 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 147 



CHAPTER XVI. 

A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

Mr. Hoffman, under the direction of the 
Board of Foreign Missions, was to act as their 
agent, visiting different portions of the Church 
and bringing the claims of Africa before them. 
After a sojourn in Norfolk of a month or two, 
he proceeded to Goshen, New York, the resi- 
dence of his mother, which place he proposed 
to make his central post for the summer 
months, that Mrs. Hoffman and her babe 
might have the benefit of a cool climate, and 
that he might visit the churches in the North 
without long absence from his family. 

It will not be expected that this portion of 
Mrs. Hoffman's life will afford much material 
for the biographer. The summer passed 
quietly and peacefully, her health becoming 
stronger, and her little one daily growing 
more and more attractive in its little ways. 

From this place she writes to one whose 



148 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

heartbeat responsive to her's in love to Christ 
and to His work among the heathen : — 

" My Dear M . 

" We were called from Harrisburg, to stand 
by the bedside of my aged grandmother. 
Before we reached there, she had passed 
through the last sorrow, and entered into the 
joy of the Lord. To her it was a sweet re- 
lease, and I cannot sorrow that another link 
is added to the chain that lifts my heart hea- 
venward. I have been very much interested 
in my first perusal of Cumming on the Apo- 
calypse. I am now reading it for the second 
time. 

" The agreement between prophecy and 
the signs of the times is wonderful. If it be 
true that our Saviour's coming draweth near, 
and the time when ' holiness to the Lord ' 
shall be inscribed on everything is at hand; 
when the ' new earth wherein dwelleth right- 
eousness' shall be our habitation, surely it 
matters but little what afflicts or troubles us ; 
for ' He that shall come, will come, and will 
not tarry.' It only remaineth for us to make 
His name glorious in the way of His own 
appointment. 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 149 

"We have had joyful tidings from Africa- 
informing us of the ordination of Mu-su and 
the confirmation of fourteen of our school- 
children.'' 

She was much distressed at this time by 
the news of the illness of her sister, who was 
prostrated in Norfolk by a severe attack of 
inflammation of the lungs. 

As it was out of her power to go to her, 
she strove to cheer her by frequent letters 
assuring her of her prayers. 

" May God make all your bed in sickness," 
she writes. " I have felt sickness sweet when 

thus sustained. D says she reads < McGhee 

on the Ephesians' to you. I know you enjoy 
it. The sweet way in which he describes our 
relation towards God, as being His dear chil- 
dren, for Christ's sake, and not for anything 
we have done, is very precious to a Christian's 
heart. Miss Williford is now with us, but 
still quite unwell. I rejoice to tell you that 
the prospect before me in Africa offers more 
happiness than ever, because the way is opened 
for more usefulness." 

Early in the month of September, her sister 
arrived in Goshen, bearing sad traces of her 



150 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

long illness. Mrs. Hoffman was startled, and 
truly she had cause for gloomy forebodings, 
for even then that insidious disease, consump- 
tion, inherited from her mother, had marked 
her for its victim. Still Mrs. H. was not aware 
of her true condition, and looked forward 
hopefully to her improvement. 

Mrs. Payne and Miss Williford were now 
about to return to their work in Africa, accom- 
panied by Rev. Eobt. Smith and Miss Alley, 
and Mrs. Hoffman went to New York to take 
leave of them. From that city she writes, 
October 18th. 1854 : — 

" We are here, my dear M , waiting to 

part from some of our dear friends for Africa. 
We are glad to have them sail, and cannot 
help feeling a little home-sick that we are not 
of the number. The vessel sails on the 23d 
or 25th, and I know that your prayers will be 
offered with ours, for the safety of those, dear, 
not only for their work's sake, but also for 
their own." 

The month of November was passed among 
her friends in Albany, while her husband was 
employed in visiting the churches in Western 
New York. 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 151 

From this place she writes to a friend, un- 
der date Nov. 7th : — 

" I am now staying at one of my old homes, 
where I went to school, and I have had the 
pleasure of meeting a number of my old 
schoolmates, all of whom have become pious. 
We shall sail in the spring, but we do not know 
yet whether from Baltimore or New York. 
My poor sister's health will make it painful 
to leave her; but there is One who comfort- 
eth and healeth all our sorrow. Each clay let 
Christ become more and more our all in all, 
for therein consists our enduring happiness. " 

Early in December, she returned to Nor- 
folk, to pass the winter with her sister, whose 
health was still very precarious. " Sister 
seems cheerful," she writes, " and I think we 
shall pass, if her life is spared, a pleasant win- 
ter. We both feel the uncertainty of her con- 
tinuing even as comfortable as now, yet while 
God still grants this, we strive to enjoy the 
present with chastened thankfulness. Mr. PL 
is at the North, and will remain till February. 
It is a long separation for us ; still he is in the 
path of duty, and there are many alleviations 



152 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

to such a trial when it comes to us in the dis- 
charge of duty." 

January 1st, 1855, she writes to a friend : 
" Most sincerely do I wish you, my dear M — , 
a happy New- Year ! May we begin it with 
the recollection that we are witnesses for God. 
Enabled by the grace of God to take this high 
stand, we shall meet all life's changes with 
calmness, nay, with joy. It matters little 
whether we see the fruit of our toil ; our Mas- 
ter's life w r as cheered by little apparent fruit, 
and 'the disciple is not above his Master.' 
My husband is still on his tour of visitation 
to the churches in the North ; he seems to 
have been blessed in awakening an interest 
in our work; and for such an end I would 
gladly have him absent from me. My own 
health continues good, and I long to be spend- 
ing my strength in Africa." 

Mr. Hoffman returned to Norfolk the first 
week in March. She writes of their plans to 
the same friend, then at the Theological Semi- 
nary, near Alexandria: "We go to Eichmond 
soon after his arrival, and from thence Mr. II. 
goes to Florida, while I will proceed to Alex- 
andria, and hope to meet all the kind friends 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 153 

on the Seminary Hill. Can we not meet, and 
together mingle our hopes and prayers for 
that glorious day when this earth, now spot- 
ted with sin, shall be wholly renewed, and 
again pronounced very good? 

" We have heard, by way of England, that 
Mrs. Payne and her party were at Monrovia 
the 17th December, after a passage of thirty- 
one days ; all well. A number of the emi- 
grants on board became awakened on the 
voyage, through the faithful labors of the 
missionaries." 

The second and third Sundays of March 
were spent in Washington. These precious 
days were our last interview with her on 
earth. We took sweet counsel together, and 
walked to the house of God in company ; we 
conversed of the coming of Christ's kingdom; 
of the blessedness of life spent in the work 
of saving souls ; of the sweetness of Jesus' 
love ; of the sainted ones who had passed be- 
fore us within the veil ; and of the hope of 
reunion with the loved and the lost ; and 
above all, of seeing Him who is fairest among 
ten thousand, and altogether lovely, and pass- 
ing an eternity in His smile. The pulpit to- 



154 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

pics of those Sundays were congenial to her 
heart, and she thus alludes to them : 

"March 20th. — The text in the morning 
was ? not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, 
serving the Lord ;' and the theme was on ear- 
nest Christianity, or the Church in earnest. 
The vivid picture of the Church in earnest I 
see now, and God helping, could my heart 
have been seen, the train of thought could 
not have been chosen more entirely adapted 
to my feelings when I left my house. At 
night the topic was the self-consecration of 
Henry Martyn's life as a model to young men. 
It was all for me, and I took in every word 
to profit by it. 

" The following Sunday the text was, 'Lord 
it is good for us to be here ; let us build three 
tabernacles, one for Thee, one for Moses, one 
for Elias.' We were taught that we must not 
tarry on even Mount Tabor in the compan- 
ionship of Jesus to build our tabernacles, but 
descend to the dust and toil and battle-field 
of earth to work for Christ, even as He came 
down from the Mount of Transfiguration to 
cast out the evil spirit." 

At this time sad news reached her concern- 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 155 

ing the prospect of her departure for Africa ; 
we will let her describe it, and her feelings 
under it : — 

Alexandria, March 27, 1855. 

"My Beloved Sister: 

" My mind is occupied by one thought, and 
it is no less than the prospect of our detention 
in this country until the fall. The funds of 
the committee are so much embarrassed that 
they think of detaining Mr. Hoffman, to act 
as agent, while they cannot send out Mr. 
Holcomb. As soon as I heard of it, I wrote 
to Mr. Denison, telling him how much I hoped 
it was only a passing thought, urging that the 
Bishop was now almost alone. I received a 
reply to-day from him, very kind, but giving 
me little hope ; and I own, dear sister, that I 
am very sad. If we must stay, it will be the 
way in which God will be most glorified ; and 
if it is decided so, I trust to be able to say, 
1 Thy will be done !' and to yield all my power 
to the work He has for me to do. In this 
case, Mr. H. will be away from me all the 
time, and I may try my skill in teaching, that 
we may not further drain the funds of the 
committee by requiring any salary." 



156 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

Such was the spirit manifested by this 
faithful servant of Christ — such her earnest 
longing to return to her field of labor, where 
sickness and weariness awaited her, if only 
she might testify to the heathen of the grace 
of God. 

A week was spent at the Theological Semi- 
nary near Alexandria, surrounded by most 
congenial friends and people of God, who 
were one with her in love to the cause of 
Christ in Africa. From that Seminary had 
gone forth nearly all the missionaries of our 
Church to that field, as well as to China. On 
Good Friday eve, Mr. H. returned from the 
South, bringing with him more cheering 
news with regard to their departure. He had 
seen a letter in Savannah, from the Foreign 
Committee, in which they spoke of being 
much moved, even to tears, by letters from 
Mrs. Hoffman and Miss Williford, and thought 
they could not refuse to let them go. Mr. H. 
at once wrote an earnest letter to them, and 
hastened on, to urge in person their request. 
On Tuesday the 10th of April, they took their 
final leave of the Seminary. As the carriages 
passed in front of the main building, they 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 157 

beheld the whole body of students standing 
in a line ; and immediately they began to 
sing, with great beauty and effect, Bishop 
Heber's hymn — 

" From Greenland's icy mountains," &c. 

This was their last farewell to this beloved 
Antioch of our Church. The next day they 
reached New York. 

There the most cheering news awaited 
them. The Foreign Committee had held a 
meeting on Tuesday evening, and decided 
that Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, and Miss "Willi- 
ford, should sail on the ensuing first of May. 
After a short visit to Goshen, they turned 
their faces southward, and Mrs. Hoffman 
reached Norfolk on the 28th of April. 

After Mrs. H. left Norfolk in May, we find 
the following in her journal under date July 
21st, 1854 : — 

" Sin reigns, and death by sin. I have 
never found my heart so dead to all holy 
things. 'The things that I would I do not, 
and what I would not, that I do.' God, be 
merciful to me a sinner. 

" August 13th. — I have felt unwell, and 



158 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

Satan taking advantage of a weak body, has 
tempted me sorely. 'Ascribe ye strength unto 
God.' Let this week find me watching unto 
prayer. 

Sept. 3d. — Blessed be Thy name that Thou 
hast given me clearer views of Thine own self, 
and while I know how deep sin has dyed my 
soul (though I know not the half), yet I know 
'tis for the vilest sinners Thy blood is shed, 
and Thy righteousness provided. I bless 
Thee for the glorious hopes beyond, that Thy 
word reveals, the hope of Thine own glorious 
appearing. The time is short; make me a 
living, willing sacrifice : to save souls, let me 
live and labor : as wife and mother, make 
me faithful. 

. "New York, Oct. 14th. — My birth-clay, 
twenty-two. A year of renewed health ; let 
me anew consecrate myself to Thee, my 
Father. 

" Albany, November 5th. — Communion 
at the church of the Holy Innocents, at which 
Jesus, as my husband, brother, friend, and 
Saviour, was revealed ; and I, as His bride, 
spouse, and sister. I would pray that to all 
He might be in like manner known. Till 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 159 

He come again, we remember His atone- 
ment for us. Why am I ever sorrowful with 
such blessed hopes ? With friends or with- 
out, Christ is all. To His glory living each 
second, moment, hour, day, year. 

"Norfolk, Dec. 25. — I would praise the 
wondrous love of God which has redeemed 
rne without money and without price. There 
is no more condemnation, but a sweet lean- 
ing on Jesus, and a looking up to Him for 
the spirit to walk in all those good fruits (of 
the spirit). ! that my life may be wholly 
Thine ; and to witness for Him be all my 
aim. 

"Dec. 31st. — The last record of the old 
year's departure, and the entry of the new, 
were made in my room in Africa. Now I 
am in my old home in Norfolk. We know 
not what this year shall bring. Let me not 
have spent the past as a tale that is told, but 
seriously lay its experience to heart. I am a 
ivitness for Jesus, and in me must the image 
of my Father shine forth. Every cent, every 
moment, every thought, must witness for 
Thee : living for the happiness and good of 
all around me. Bring, I beseech Thee, 



160 A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 

Father, every talent into use. Let me im- 
prove the time to meditate much on Thee, 
and walk thereby closer to Thee. 

"January 7th, 1855. — Time is short. Let 
all the emotions of my heart, with their in- 
tensest power, be Thine, Lord ; and all my 
powers of body and soul, and external gifts, 
be Thine. Each moment find me preparing 
for eternity, and advancing Thy kingdom. 

"Alexandria, Va., March 21. — DearM 

has just called, and told us of the letter from 
the Committee, saying we may be detained. 
May God guide us, and enable us to honor 
Him wherever He calls us. I have (in the 
absence of my husband) sent a letter to the 
Committee, remonstrating against our being 
detained. 

" Theological Seminary, Va., April 7th. — 

Easter Even. A sweet walk with M , to 

where the Arbutus lifted its lowly head. 

"April 8th, Easter. — The Lord is risen 
indeed. Oh ! I feel my heart raised to new- 
ness of life. We are at this lovely home, and 
all hearts are occupied in contemplating our 
risen Lord, and drawing therefrom comfort. " 

Who does not blush at the fact that the 



A YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES. 161 

Foreign Committee, representing a Church, 
so abundantly blessed with wealth, should 
have been forced to hesitate in sending back 
to their field of labor these devoted mission- 
aries, whose hearts were longing to go ? At 
the very time when this occurred, the mis- 
sionary Bishop of Africa was devising plans 
for enlarging greatly the work under his 
charge. In a letter dated the 12th March, 
he writes to the Committee, "I cannot en- 
tertain the idea that any embarrassments of 
the great Mammon world can affect the paltry 
contributions to foreign missions. I say ad- 
visedly, paltry, though the receipts of your 
treasury during the past year reached sixty 
thousand dollars; for what was that sum, 
compared with what Episcopalians might 
have contributed — to what they may contri- 
bute — without even approaching the virtue 
of self-denial? Oh for the spirit of self- 
devotion to Christ, and then the treasury of 
the Lord would no longer languish ! " 



11 



162 RETURN TO AFRICA. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

RETURN TO AFRICA. 

The long-desired day at length arrived; 
and on Saturday, the 5th of May, accom- 
panied by many dear friends, they were 
taken by steamer to the barque Cora, in 
Hampton Roads. It was not without deep 
and painful feelings that she parted from her 
friends and native land ; she felt that, in all 
human probability, she should see them on 
earth no more. Her sister, the dearest one 
left behind, was fast wasting away under the 
ravages of disease. It may appear strange 
to some that she should not have preferred to 
remain for a longer period with her sister ; 
and without doubt all her deep feelings of 
affection prompted her to such a course. But 
she felt that duty to her work and her hus- 
band's work in Africa required her to make 
even this sacrifice; and at the same time, 
that no ministration of kindness or care on 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 163 

her part could avert from her loved one the 
threatened blow. On the evening of the day 
on which she reached the ship she sent back 
the following note : 

"My beloved Sister: 

"We have been unpacking and getting 
our things in order, in readiness for an attack 
of sea-sickness. We have just been down to 
hold evening prayers. The captain came, 
and we sang a hymn ; all seem happy, and 
make the best of little ills. Miss Williford 
is delighted with her good accommodations. 

" Dearest sister, what else is worth living 
for than to honor our loving God ? and is it 
not a privilege to be able to give up some- 
thing to testify our love ? " 

Another letter, at the end of three weeks, 
tells of the favorable progress towards the 
clime of the East. 

"Off St. Antonio, May 29th, 1855. 

"My much-loved Sister: 

" Three weeks find us well on our way. 
We have been favored with strong breezes ; 



164 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

and, though. I have been more than usually 
sea-sick, yet we have had a blessed voyage. 
Our captain and first-mate are pious, and our 
crew are the most quiet we have ever been 
with. The emigrants have kept well, and are 
very well behaved. Sunday we went out of 
the Capes, and Mr. H. had service on deck. 
The following week we were all sick. After 
this the sea was less rough, and we began our 
school. Miss Williford has the boys, Mr. H. 
the men, and I the girls. Many of them are 
from Kentucky, and are as ignorant as hea- 
thens; not one of fifteen knew the Lord's 
Prayer, the Commandments, or who Jesus 
was. 

"May 30th. — We are passing the last of 
the islands ; St. Iago we see above the Clouds. 
If we have favorable winds, six days will find 
us at Monrovia. We are always so blessed, 
dear sister, that you will no longer feel anx- 
iety about us. Many times has my mind's 
eye gone back to you, and I have seen you 
telling Mary and Willie to add to their usual 
prayers one for our safety while on the great 
deep. Your sweet bouquet of flowers lasted 
over two weeks, and was such a refreshment 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 165 

to us ! My basket of flowers continues to 
thrive. 

"May 31st, Thursday. — Tis possible we 
may reach Monrovia by Sunday. How I 
long to know, dear sister, if you bear our 
leaving cheerfully! I expect many of my 
Norfolk friends think me cold-hearted to 
leave so cheerfully; but my precious sister 
feels, with me, that it is but a little time in 
which we can testify of our love to Jesus ; 
soon we shall enter into the full enjoyment 
of His presence.'' 

While the good ship Cora is speeding her 
way across the Atlantic, bearing her precious 
freight rapidly to their adopted home under 
the shade of the cocoanut-trees, we will turn 
aside to give a brief sketch of what has 
transpired in the mission during their absence 
of eighteen months. 

It will be remembered that two days be- 
fore they sailed from Cape Palm as eight 
missionaries had arrived to fill up the ranks 
thinned by death and disease. Their arrival 
cheered the heart of the Bishop, and enabled 
him to fulfil his cherished design of opening 



166 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

new stations along the coast, and greatly en- 
larging the boundaries of the mission. This 
was now extended to a distance of 250 miles 
along the coast, from Cape Palmas to Mon- 
rovia, the capital of Liberia. At the latter 
place the prospect was very encouraging, and 
the Rev. Alexander Crummel had lately ar- 
rived from England to minister to the peo- 
ple. Gathering a small flock about him, in 
the preceding September the church had vo- 
luntarily declared itself under the ecclesiasti- 
cal jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church in Western Africa, and 
adopted the Constitution, Canons, and Liturgy 
of the same, " except that, in the prayer for 
those in authority, 'Liberia' instead of 'the 
United States' be used." 

At Clay Ashland also, on the St. Paul's 
River, ten miles from Monrovia, Mr. Russel, 
a candidate for orders, and formerly a Meth- 
odist minister, was successfully employed, 
and during the visit of the Bishop in the pre- 
ceding autumn several persons had been con- 
firmed. A church edifice was at that time in 
process of erection. In Bassa County, and 
in Sinoe settlement, midway between Cape 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 167 

Palmas and Bassa, also, most favorable open- 
ings were presented for missionary labor 
among natives and colonists. 

The new laborers were thus distributed : 
the Rev. Mr. Wright and wife, with Miss 
Smith, were appointed to Rocktown, in con- 
nection with Mr. and Mrs. Home, where they 
w T ere surrounded by a native population of 
6000 persons. Mr. and Mrs. Rambo were 
first to reside at Cavalla, before the acclima- 
tion of Mrs. R., and then proceed to Bassa. 

"You see, then," writes the Bishop to the 
Foreign Committee, "how readily, and thank- 
fully, and joyfully we receive all that come, 
and can still cry, ' and yet there is room.' I 
notice," he adds, "in your report to the 
Board of Missions, that you announce (no 
doubt with some anxiety) that your Commit- 
tee have assumed the responsibility of an 
expenditure of sixty thousand dollars for the 
current year. In connection with this, the 
thought has occurred to me that this is just 
the amount said to have been cleared by a 
vessel engaged in the African trade in one 
voyage made last year. That is, a single ves- 
sel, in one voyage, on an average of African 



168 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

produce, cleared as much, as is given by the 
whole Episcopal Church in the United States 
towards the spread of the gospel in Africa 
and in all heathen lands; and this vessel 
owned by a member of that Church ! " 

On the 15th of January, Mr. G. W. Gib- 
son, one of the colored teachers, and a colo- 
nist, was ordained a deacon by Bishop Payne, 
and continued to reside at Mount Vaughan, 
to assist in the High School and preach in 
the Grahway town. One month later, on the 
15th of February, Mr. Alfred F. Eussell was 
admitted to the Diaconate. 

But more cheering indications of God's 
blessing were to follow. Two native Afri- 
cans, but a few years before rescued from 
heathenism, were now to be introduced into 
the sacred ministry; an event marking a 
most important era in the history of the mis- 
sion. Nor did they come unprepared; the 
first examination of one of them occupied 
the mornings of several days, and was en- 
tirely satisfactory ; and this was a specimen 
of all the examinations. 

It was on Easter Sunday, April 16th, 1855, 
that Ku-Sia (Clement F. Jones) and Musu 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 169 

(John Minor) were admitted to deacons' or- 
ders. These were to do the work of evange- 
lists ; the former among the twelve tribes 
scattered along the Cavalla River to a point 
sixty miles in the interior ; the latter in the 
Babo and Plabo towns along the sea-coast, 
from Grand Bassa to the Cavalla River. 

Immediately after the ordination of Ku 
Sia, he proceeded on a missionary tour, ac- 
companied by Harris, or Thomas Freeman, a 
converted native, of fifty years of age. Ku 
Sia preached seventeen times to about 800 
persons, and on every occasion Harris fol- 
lowed with an account of his conversion. 

On the 23d of February Miss Sophia M. 
Smith died at Rocktown, and in her last 
hours declared that she was most happy to 
have come, even though spared for so brief a 
period for the work. 

This was but the first of a series of afflic- 
tions which befell the mission during the pe- 
riod of Mrs. Hoffman's absence, and made 
the year 1854 one of the most memorable in 
its history, both on account of the tokens of 
God's blessing upon their work in the con- 



170 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

version of the heathen and for the sad record 
of trials and deaths. 

Among the band of eight persons who ar- 
rived at Cape Palmas on the 8th of January, 
was Dr. J. R. Steele, a young physician of 
great promise, from the city of "Washington. 
For a long time it had been the earnest desire 
of the friends of the Mission to procure the 
services of a missionary physician. Lately, 
Dr. McGill, the skilful physician at Cape 
Palmas, whose kind services had been so gen- 
erously rendered for many years to the mis- 
sionaries, had removed to Monrovia, and 
there was an urgent necessity that his place 
should be supplied. Great hopes were enter- 
tained that Dr. Steele might be long spared 
to the Mission. Very soon, however, after 
his arrival, his health began to fail, and on 
the 11th of July, he was removed to the rest 
of the people of God. 

Bishop Payne thus speaks of his Christian 
character under date of July 12th : — 

" Yesterday morning, Dr. J. R. Steele died 
at this place (Cavalla), in the faith and love 
and peace and joy of the Gospel of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ. 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 171 

" The voyage to this country proved inju- 
rious rather than an advantage, insomuch that 
on his arrival at Cape Palmas, he seriously 
thought of returning in the same vessel which 
brought him. He determined, however, to 
remain ; but his malady increased apace unto 
the bud. During the six months of his mis- 
sionary life, days and nights of weariness 
were appointed to him. But the ' life of Jesus 
was manifested in his mortal body.' In love 
and faithfulness he instructed and prayed with 
the heathen with whom he came in contact ; 
in unity, like the precious oil which ran down 
Aaron's beard, he dwelt with brethren and 
sisters of the Mission, ever ready to do them 
service, ever regretting he could not do them 
more ; in patience he abided the short night 
of affliction, yet longing for the morning; 
and, as the shadows of Tuesday night with all 
his earthly might were fleeing away together, 
the glorious heavenly day was dawning upon 
him. Yesterday morning about eight o'clock, 
amidst sorrowing yet rejoicing missionary 
brethren and sisters, did this lovely disciple 
fall asleep in Jesus, and was carried by angels 



172 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

into Abraham's bosom ! Amen ! Amen ! 
Blessed be God !" 

Mr. Hoffman, on bearing this sad intelli- 
gence in this country, made unceasing efforts 
to obtain a physician to take his place, but 
without avail ; and up to this time no one has 
offered to fill this responsible post. The mis- 
sionaries are left amid sickness, without a 
medical man to minister to their frequent 
necessities. 

The next name to be added to this list of 
martyrs is that of the Rev. G. W. Home. 
Mr. H. had accompanied the Bishop on his 
return to Africa, in 1852, and was detained 
at Rocktown as the successor of Mr. Hening. 
He had long been in feeble health, and had 
made arrangements to return to the United 
States, when he was called away on the 2d 
of October. " He expired," writes the Bishop, 
" most unexpectedly to every one but to his 
faithful, sorrowing wife. She alone was fully 
aware of the certain failing of his strength 
and life." He sleeps where a missionary's 
grave should be — among the people for 
whom he willingly sacrificed his life. 

But the saddest item in this record of sor- 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 173 

row is yet to be added. One of the most 
competent and promising of those who have 
ever given themselves to the work of Christ 
in heathen lands w T as the Rev. Robt. Smith, 
who sailed for Africa in company with Mrs. 
Payne and Miss Alley, in October, 1854. 

" Mr. Smith," says the report of the Board 
of Missions, " was 'educated at Yale College, 
and subsequently received his theological 
training at the Seminary, near Alexandria. 
From the outset of his preparation for the 
ministry, he devoted himself to the work of 
missions in Africa: and when the Foreign 
Committee were called upon to act with re- 
gard to his application, they felt assured, from 
the testimony everywhere borne to his intel- 
ligence, energy, and piety, that they had se- 
cured the services of one eminently qualified 
for usefulness. 

We insert the letter written four days after 
his arrival at Cape Palmas, as giving an idea 
of his spirit, and in itself of great interest : 

Cavalla, January 15, 1855. 

" Our long voyage is ended, and we are at 
home. We anchored off Cape Palmas on 
Thursday evening, the 11th instant, and the 



174 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

next day accompanied the Bishop to Cavalla. 
We were greeted with a missionary welcome 
by all the missionaries stationed there. 

"Amidst the multiplicity of duties incident 
to my arrival, I can do little more than say 
in general terms, that my first impressions 
of everything I have seen, except the natives, 
are of the most pleasing character. The Cape, 
as it is approached from the sea, is beautiful, 
and much more beautiful as seen from many 
positions on land. The Orphan Asylum, now 
rapidly approaching completion, is a fine- 
looking building, and finely situated, com- 
manding a most ample view of the ocean, 
and fanned continually by refreshing ocean 
breezes. Shepard Lake, along whose smooth 
surface our party glided in the mission boat, 
late in the afternoon, is beautiful. And of 
Cavalla I can only say that it looks more like 
a pleasant country home in the United States 
than the rude product of sheer necessity, 
which mission-houses are too often conceived 
to be by those who have never seen them. 
Everything about Cavalla looks beautiful — 
the houses large and tastefully constructed — 
the avenue which leads to the main building 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 175 

bordered by twelve large, handsome cocoa- 
nut trees, whose branches meet in an arch, 
and cast a delightful shade over the way — 
the garden large, tastefully laid out, and con- 
stantly supplying the well-furnished table 
with a profusion of fruits and vegetables of 
both tropical and temperate climates — the 
situation being a slight eminence, command- 
ing a fine prospect of the ocean, whose eter- 
nal waves dash their beautiful crests unceas- 
ingly on the beach, not a hundred paces dis- 
tant. And, as might be expected, in view of 
these and other objects of interest which clus- 
ter about this lovely spot, the missionaries all 
seem most cheerful and happy. Indeed, I do 
not believe a more contented or happier circle 
could be found in the world, if I may judge 
from all that has come under my observation 
during the few days I have been here. T\ r e 
enjoy all the pleasures of social intercourse 
which are known in Christian lands ; and 
these are rendered peculiarly sweet by one- 
ness of purpose, labor and sentiment which 
so remarkably characterize our African mis- 
sionaries. Such are my first impressions of 
Africa ; and I do not see how they can be 



176 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

changed or modified by longer acquaintance. 
But the beauties of Africa are confined to 
those objects of which I have spoken. It is 
most distressing to turn from them to the sa- 
vages who roam about in a state of almost 
total nudity. These are as vile in their cha- 
racters, their habits, and their physical aspect 
as it is easy to conceive humanity capable of 
being. The influence of the Gospel upon 
them is gradually becoming perceptible ; and 
there is reason to hope that at no distant clay 
multitudes will experience its transforming 
energy. But thus far, only the faintest dawn 
of the approaching day is manifest. That day 
will assuredly come, and in its genial ray all 
Africa will bask. But 0, how much is de- 
manded of God's people ! — what increase of 
fervent prayer ! — what enlarged contribu- 
tions!— -what increasing number of conse- 
crated laborers ! — before this blessed hour 
shall arrive ! 

For two or three months he seemed to 
suffer very little inconvenience from the cli- 
mate ; and accounts from Africa confirmed the 
hopes before entertained that God w r ould 
spare him for years of service in that field. 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 177 

How great was the surprise, then, and how 
deep the sorrow of the Church at home to 
learn that on the 24th of May, four months 
after his arrival, he was called to a higher 
ministry and heavenly duties. This informa- 
tion was communicated in a letter from Mr. 
Hoffman, elated Monrovia, June 24th. He 
writes : — 

" We cannot but feel very sad at the loss 
of our valued friend and brother; one so 
holy, so full of Godly zeal, and, we should 
say, eminently fitted for the missionary work. 
But the Lord's ways are not ours. Though 
it was in his heart to build the Lord's house, 
yet He suffered Him not." 

" To this mournful record of death in the 
African Mission," says the Eeport of the 
Board, in October, 1855, "we are obliged to 
add the name of Mr. Augustus Rogers, who 
for several years was a teacher in the Mission 
school at Cavalla. Mr. Eogers was very 
highly esteemed, and possessed admirable 
qualifications for the station which he occu- 
pied. He continued in Africa until the fall 
of 1854, when failing health obliged him to 
relinquish his duties. Seeking an opportu- 
12 



178 RETURN TO AFRICA. 

nity to embark for the United States, and not 
finding any that was direct, he sailed in a 
German vessel for Hamburg. He was a great 
sufferer on the voyage, but arrived safely. 
Within two weeks after his arrival, he died 
of the disease from which he suffered before 
his departure." 

" In addition to all this, the African Mission 
has had the further trial of losing the services 
. of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Wright, who left 
this country in the fall of 1853. The health 
of both, during their stay, was very bad. Mr. 
Wright's constitution was being gradually 
undermined, and constant attacks of fever so 
disabled him, as to unfit him for active mis- 
sionary work. There being no hope of his 
getting better, the Bishop advised the return 
of himself and wife to this country ; and their 
connection with the Mission ceased." 

Such was the record of sore trial endured 
by the Mission for a single year, during the 
visit of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman to this coun- 
try. In reviewing this period, the faithful 
Bishop, undaunted and unshaken by these 
reverses, thus writes : — 

"I believe I truly represent the feelings 



RETURN TO AFRICA. 179 

and sentiments of those who do remain, when 
I say, the loss by death and withdrawal has 
caused no discouragement here. ' It is the 
Lord.' 'He doeth all things well,' is the sus- 
taining conviction of heart and mind. But, 
seeing ' the harvest truly is plenteous and the 
laborers are few,' we cease not with thousands 
in the ' holy Church Universal ' to pray the 
Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into 
His harvest. And the conviction is abiding, 
that since it is His harvest, and He knows its 
need, and is more interested than we can be, 
and prompts the prayers for the needed sup- 
ply, that supply will not be withheld." 



180 A NEW HOME. 



CHAPTEB XVIII. 

A NEW HOME — LIFE AT EOCKTOWN. 

"We must now return to follow the course 
of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, as they are borne 
pleasantly and rapidly across the ocean, to 
strengthen the stricken band awaiting them. 
After a passage of thirty-four days, they an- 
chored on Saturday evening, the 8th of June, 
off Monrovia. From this place, Mrs. Hoffman 
writes, under date of June 10th, 1855 : 

Barque Cora, off Monrovia. 

"My Beloved Sister: 

"We have letters from Cavalla of as late a 
date as May 27th. All well. Our brother 
Smith is eternally well, for he rests from his 
labors. You will be surprised, as we were, 
when we received the tidings. At half-past 
one, on the 24th May, he was seized with 
great difficulty of breathing, and suddenly 
expired. The Lord's hand is heavy on us, 
but it is also underneath us. You will not 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 181 

fear for us ; it is well for us to have our faith 
thus tried, and to look well to our motives, 
that the love of Christ alone constraineth us. 
Eev. Mr. Crummell is here, Mr. and Mrs. Scott 
at the Asylum, and Mr. and Mrs. Eambo are 
at Bassa. 

Again she writes, June 16th, Saturday, 
" We have been at anchor one week ; land- 
ing cargo is slow work at this season, for the 
rain is frequent and the bar is rough. Hear- 
ing of Mr. Smith's death, Mr. and Mrs. 
"Wright's return, and Miss Alley's feeble 
health, has kept us from going on shore to 
stay ; we want to take all our strength to the 
relief of the few left." 

June 23d she writes, still on board the 
barque off Monrovia, "Last Saturday the 
United States ship Dale anchored about ten 
miles from us. We stopped the canoe which 
had gone for the mail, and Mr. H. sent a 
note to Captain W. He replied very kindly, 
and said that as soon as the weather permitted 
we should see him. On Sunday two mid- 
shipmen came on board, but it was raining 
too hard for the captain, and he was not very 
well. On Monday, however, he came, and 



182 A NEW HOME. 

the Dale was brought close to our vessel. 
Captain W. stayed all day, and we had a nice 
chat about Norfolk. He sent me a loaf of 
bread for Kate, and it was a treat to her ; for 
she will not eat the ship-biscuit, and our 
bread is not good." 

For three weeks the vessel was detained at 
Monrovia, discharging her cargo ; and not 
till the 1st of July did she reach Cape 
Palmas. 

At last our voyagers were at " the haven 
where they would be," and once more in the 
happy home at Cavalla, surrounded by the 
dear friends whose hearts were so congenial 
to their own. 

Great was their joy at being permitted to 
renew their labors among the heathen ; but 
it was a joy mingled with many sad feelings. 
Mr. Hoffman writes, on his arrival at Ca- 
valla, 

" The house whence I write you this has 
been the house of mourning during nry ab- 
sence. From my bed-room the spirit of Bro- 
ther Steele took its happy flight to heaven ; 
from my study departed, with blessed hope, 
peacefully, the soul of my friend and brother 



LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 183 

Robert Smith. We yet survive, but how 
long — who can tell ? May it be our blessed 
portion like them to finish our course with 
joy and enter into our rest ! The work is 
worthy of the life. May God raise up others 
to supply the place of the fallen ! " 

Mrs. Hoffman thus describes her arrival 
and reception : 

"Cavalla, July 4th, 1855. 

" My loved Sister : 

" Our vessel anchored off Cape Palmas on 
Sunday, the 1st. On Monday we came on 
shore, and dined with Mr. and Mrs. Scott. 
The Orphan Asylum is incomplete, but they 
have two comfortable rooms. The Bishop 
came up at noon, and we received his warm 
greeting, and Miss Williford went down the 
same evening. On Tuesday w r e started, and 
without accident came to our loved home. 
You would not have one sad thought about 
us could you know what good tidings we 
have been greeted with. There is a decided 
improvement among the Christians and a 
deep interest among the heathen." 

Great, indeed, was the change apparent. 
God's blessing had been given to the labors 



184 A NEW HOME. 

of His servants, and everywhere were there 
tokens of a richer blessing to come. 

Mr. Hoffman also alludes to this in a letter 
of the same date : 

" I find things much improved here since 
my absence. Though our force has been 
weakened by the loss of our beloved fellow- 
laborers, God is certainly causing His work to 
prosper abundantly in the hands of His ser- 
vants. I was astonished at the unusual inte- 
rest manifested by the natives at Cape Pal- 
mas; upwards of two hundred weekly as- 
semble at the new chapel on the Lord's Day, 
and a night-school of from forty to seventy- 
five is attended by most earnest and success- 
ful learners. Mr. Scott says he never in any 
place saw more anxiety for instruction than 
is manifested by the adult population of Cape 
Palmas. Here, too, the Bishop is cheered in 
his work. The Spirit seems to have been 
poured out from on high ; and while wan- 
derers are reclaimed, and the weak strength- 
ened, God is adding to His Church those 
who shall be saved." 

The Church of the Epiphany, at Cavalla, 



LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 185 

was progressing, and the Orphan Asylum at 
Cape Palmas near completion. 

A new home seemed now to be opened 
before them. Roektown and Fishtown were 
now vacant, and needed greatly a resident 
missionary. " The first evening of our ar- 
rival," writes Mrs. Hoffman, "our going to 
Rocktown was discussed ; and soon it was 
determined that we should go. We shall 
miss our kind friends here, but Miss Alley 
and Miss Payne have promised to visit me. 
It seems more like home to be here than any- 
where else ; but I am full of happiness. If 
ever I doubted God's presence with us I can 
do so no longer. The history of the past 
year has abundantly proved it. Love to all 
from your happy sister." 

We are now about to enter upon a period 
of the deepest interest in the history of the 
African mission ; nothing less than an espe- 
cial outpouring of God's spirit upon the la- 
bors of the missionaries, and the awakening 
of the heathen mind to a sense of the value 
of the gospel and the need of salvation. 
Short as was the life of Mrs. Hoffman in her 
loved work, yet she was permitted to witness 



186 A NEW HOME. 

the fullest fruition of her wishes and che- 
rished hopes. We will not anticipate, how- 
ever, but follow the order of her letters. 

"Cavalla, Monday, July 9th, 1855. 

"My loved Sister: 

" It is one week since we landed, and we 
have been busy packing for our removal; 
to-morrow Mr. Hoffman visits Rocktown to 
see how many things are there. We shall 
not leave till Tuesday. Our sweet little Kate 
is making herself very contented ; the Bishop 
and she have frequent conversations across 
the piazza. He is delighted with her, as are 
all the ladies. She has her doll, and it would 
amuse you to hear the natives' astonishment. 
The old men ask Mr. Hoffman to let them 
see it, but most of the women are afraid 
of it, 

" Yesterday was a delightful day. We had 
a large congregation, and many of our old 
friends gave us a hearty Na-wio. 

" There is such, a blessed change here ! I 
do not remember to have ever passed a hap- 
pier week than the last. Every day we heard 



LITE AT ROCK TOWN. 187 

and saw evidences of the presence of God's 
Spirit. 

"Fifteen adults have received baptism, and 
nineteen others are seriously inquiring the 
way of salvation. The congregation yester- 
day was deeply attentive ; numbers whom I 
remember as sleeping or laughing attendants 
gave most serious attention. 

"One old woman, not baptized, said to 
Ku-Sia that she is afraid of Kobo (white 
people), and does not come here ; but that 
she loves the words they speak, and for a 
long time has never travelled or worked on 
Sunday. Yu-Wa, one of the Christian wo- 
men, shook my hand and said she had asked 
God to change her heart, and He had heard 
her. 

"Our villagers are alive to their duty. Or- 
der and neatness are observable ; and last 
week they went on an expedition to look for 
the scholars who at different times have run 
away, and persuaded them to come back. 

" Our deacon, Ku-Sia (C. F. Jones), read 
the service last night ; and, without any ex- 
aggeration, it was sweet. He has a musical 
voice, and reads with correct intonation. 



188 A N EW home. 

"At Cape Palmas the natives are coming 
three evenings in the week to learn to read, 
and Messrs. Scott and Harris teach them. 
Miss Williford finds her school-house ready 
for her ; it is a good building, and conveni- 
ent. The children have improved much un- 
der Miss Ball, and we see the work of grace 
plainly in some whom we thought past hope. 
Our loved Bishop is as earnest and loving as 
ever; and I have never felt my heart so 
drawn towards our people as now. "We shall 
have much to write from Rocktown when 
settled there. We hear that the house is in 
excellent order. I have but one wish — that 
God may send His Spirit ; we shall have all, 
and abound, if His presence is with us." 



A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 189 



CHAPTER XIX. 

A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 

We have before alluded to an important 
work of grace that began among the heathen 
about this period ; and so important an era 
has it proved in the history of the mission 
that we insert an account of it in a letter 
from the missionary Bishop to the Church at 
home. After describing other instrumen- 
talities employed in the work of evangelizing 
the heathen, such as the boarding and day 
schools, and visiting from house to house, he 
adds, 

" But it is preaching, in towns and villages, 
to the many and to the few, the gospel of sal- 
vation through Jesus Christ, which, blessed 
be God, has ever been the prominent busi- 
ness of the mission. And truly here the 
kingdom of God is 'like leaven.' It has 
worked so invisibly, and to human perception 
so slowly, that many superficial, faithless 



190 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 

ones, have grown tired; and because they 
could not see the progress which God alone 
can fully see, they have grown weary in well- 
doing, or ceased altogether to do. And yet 
the leaven has ever worked. 

"Its first effect was to arouse the worst 
elements of heathenism into active antago- 
nism and conflict with the truth. 

" The next was, to produce a lull of this 
strife — a decent respect to the representatives 
of Christianity, and for the truths they 
taught. 

"Next followed a general assent to the 
great doctrine of one God over all, and in 
all, and consequent rejection of gree-grees, 
of idols and demons. Multitudes of these 
vanities were cast away under these influ- 
ences. 

" And lastly, the mists of superstition and 
rubbish being thus cleared away, the rays 
from the Sun of Righteousness penetrate the 
mind and the soul, and the heathen i behold 
the Lamb of God, which taketh away the 
sin of the world.' 

" The first rising of life from the dead mass 
of adult heathenism was manifested Sunday, 



A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 191 

December 11, 1853, when Hyano, a convert- 
ed demon-man, and Gida-Wudai, in the pride 
of youthful life, stood up in the presence of 
a full assemblage of their people to receive 
baptism. 

" The next was the case of a man of mid- 
dle age, who, under the silent dews of the 
Spirit, was brought to Christ. 

"After this was that of a poor diseased 
woman. She seldom or never attended pub- 
lic service ; but a sister of charity sought her 
and led her to the Savior. In her little hut, 
on September 19th, 1854, she received, in 
baptism, the name of Mary Louise, after the 
angel of mercy who had saved her.* In 
about one month more, in the town of Hy- 
ano, his wife and a grey-headed woman were 
gathered into the true fold ; and now in Hy- 
ano's house, morning and evening, assembled 
the little church of five, to offer prayer and 
praise to the God of all, in their own lan- 
guage wherein they were born. Soon a few 
others assembled with them. 

" In the beginning of this year (1855), it 

* Reference is here made to Mrs. Rainbo, who died 
shortly after these lines were written. 



192 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 

being determined to make rice farms at a 
great distance from town, Hyano went with 
his people to reside in temporary huts. He 
was in feeble health, and apprehensions were 
felt that the exposure might be more than he 
could bear. But he made prayer, as before, 
morning and evening, in his frail house, with 
all who would meet there, and rested on the 
Sabbath, ' according to the commandment.' 

" Many watched him with an evil eye. They 
said Hyano would die, or that he would have 
no rice. But H}^ano's health improved, and 
no one's rice grew better than his. And 
many observed and said, Hyano's God is the 
true God. 

" The year passed on. On a cloudy after- 
noon, at Diima-Lu, on the Cavalla river, the 
missionary had preached, as he had done 
many scores of times before, and the hearers 
said Jiaut te nonte, (true things) as many scores 
of times before also. The missionary asked 
in sorrow, 'How long will you say, and never 
do ? ' One replied, ' Do what ? Long have I 
believed the Gospel, and I am ready to do 
whatever it requires.' Another and another 
said so likewise. Amongst these was a young 



A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 193 

man whose past life had been notoriously bad. 
His companions reminded him of this, and 
expressed the conviction that whatever others 
might do, he never could be a Christian. 
i And can a wicked man never turn from his 
wickedness?' he replied. 'I know I have 
been very bad, but it is this course which I 
mean to forsake.' 

" The interest continued and extended. 
One Sunday morning, a middle-aged man 
from the above town presented himself, and 
said, 'I have come to inform you that I have 
resolved to do the mind (lu, head) of God.' 
' "Why is this V ' You knew my father. He 
had many idols, and had great faith in them. 
But these prevented not his sickness, nor his 
death. While sick, I consulted many deyabo 
(demon-men) in reference to him. All said 
he w x ould recover, and all lied. After his 
death, I again consulted them, and they said 
he was bewitched, and in one month the witch 
should be manifested by an untimely death. 
Again they all lied. Henceforth I will have 
nothing more to do with debayo or gree-grees. 
I shall serve God.' Similar cases soon fol- 
lowed. Amongst these, the principal man in 
13 



194 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 

the town, on one Sabbath afternoon, after the 
Rev. C. F. Jones had held services, gave him 
up all his gree-grees, and announced his de- 
termination to be a Christian. From this 
town seven have already been baptized, and 
as many more are candidates. They meet 
morning and evening for prayer in the house 
of one of their number ; and when visited by 
the missionary, it is cheering to observe the 
devout manner in which they join audibly in 
prayer and praise. In the largest of the Ca- 
valla towns, as well as in two smaller ones, a 
hopeful interest is manifested by quite a num- 
ber, male and female — of these, four have 
been baptized, making in all, eleven adults, all 
of them old and middle-aged men and women. 
(The number soon was increased to thirty- 
four.) There is reason to believe that the in- 
terest is extending. 'S ,' said the mis- 
sionary to one, formerly the most hardened 
heathen, ' why are you not a Christian V ' I 
have many things to keep me back,' he re- 
plied ; 'but of one thing be assured, I believe 
the Gospel, and so do all my people. Once 
it was a matter of discussion amongst us, but 
it is no longer so. We are convinced of its 



A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 195 

truth. Hence the number coining to baptism ; 
and we all shall receive it yet.' 

" At Cape P almas, the state of things is 
quite as encouraging. Since the missionary 
took charge of that station, some two months 
since, the congregations on Sunday have been 
full almost to overflowing ; and at night, from 
fifty to two hundred have attended school. 
Nor does this satisfy them ; along the roads 
they are to be seen with books in their hands, 
asking of each other, and of colonists who 
may chance to be passing along, the instruc- 
tion they seek. 

" Quite a number, the missionary, Eev. Mr. 
Scott, writes, are interested in their soul's 
salvation. 

" Many of the people here have thrown 
away their gree-grees. Amongst these are 
Pe-Gipamo, brother of the late king Freeman, 
and virtually his successor. This aged man, 
who was also a cleya^ has not only thrown 
away his own gree-grees, but walks about 
amongst his people, and exhorts them to 
follow his example. The subject of throwing 
away the public gree-grees has been discussed, 
and although the measure cannot yet proba- 



196 A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 

bly be carried, there is a large number in its 
favor. 

" Co-existent with this religious interest 
amongst the people, has been a remarkable 
quickening of zeal and sense of responsibility 
amongst our native assistants. This, under 
God, is greatly attributable to the death of the 
late Rev. Robert Smith. 

"At the monthly missionary meeting in 
June, being that immediately after Mr. Smith's 
death, the Eev. Clement F. Jones (native 
deacon) made an address. In this he ex- 
pressed his own deep conviction that God, in 
thus suddenly calling away the foreign mis- 
sionary, spoke to him, and all native agents, to 
rouse themselves to action. They must cease 
to depend upon the laborers from abroad. If 
the country is to be evangelized, it must be 
done chiefly by its own people. And why 
not V he asked. ' What is the Gospel ? It is 
words — words which I may speak, and you, 
and all. God must give power to the words, 
but the ivords we may all pronounce. God has 
evidently placed our work before us. Let us 
resolve to do it. 

"N. S. Harris, native teacher at Cape Pal- 



A PENTECOST IN AFRICA. 197 

mas, and candidate for orders, followed in a 
similar and most effective speech. He 
mourned over his past want of zeal, and called 
upon all henceforth to unite with him in 
amendment of life. 

"It is gratifying to state that action has 
followed words. In public and in private — 
in assemblies of people called by themselves 
— and with old companions in school, but 
now relapsed to heathenism, have the teach- 
ers and catechists and native missionaries 
exerted themselves. 

"In the meantime, gratitude and joy and 
faith and hope find their delightful expression 
in the words of the apostolic missionary, 4 JSTow 
thanks be unto God, which always causeth 
us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest 
the savor of His knowledge by us in every 
place/ " 



198 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 



CHAPTER XX. 

LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

During the last week in July, Mrs. Hoff- 
man removed to Rocktown, and under date 
of August 3d, 1855, we find the following 
letter to a friend : — 

" Here we are, living in dear Mrs. Hening's 
old home, occupying her accustomed place. 
My seat, while writing, is the one she had, 
and my eye rests over the same beautiful 
scene. We had spent but one night on land 
when, in conversation with our Bishop, it was 
decided that we were to come here. Mr. 
Wright had returned home, and this station 
was vacant. 

« We remained but a fortnight at Cavalla, 
enjoying the society of our loved friends there, 
and also enjoying the good work, which is 
advancing. Almost daily does the Bishop 
hear the question, 'How can we do God's 
will V The Church has doubled its numbers, 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 199 

and calls now its members from the old 
heathen. 

" The number asking for baptism, whom 
the Bishop bids wait, is larger than the num- 
ber received. Our visits to the towns are 
seasons of grateful joy, for we meet willing 
and anxious listeners. 

"The change to us, remembering what they 
were when we left, is wonderful ; nothing 
less than the moving of the Spirit of God over 
the darkness could have wrought this. 

"Thus it is, while God has apparently 
weakened our strength by removing one and 
another, He manifests His own power with- 
out our being apparent instruments. To the 
Bishop, who has lived years of patient wait- 
ing, you can imagine how refreshing this 
season is. Had it not been that it was our 
duty, it would have been with regret that we 
left the society of Cavalla. Here we have 
met with a much kinder reception than we 
anticipated. This people have usually been 
very troublesome, but God seems to have 
turned their hearts to favor us ; they supply 
us readily and kindly with provisions, and 
seem very willing to listen to our words. We 



200 LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 

have been cheered by large congregations on 
Sunday, and some few seem seriously to 
weigh what they hear." 

On the 9th of August a quarterly meeting 
of the Cape Palmas Convocation was held at 
Rocktown. It was a season of great spiri- 
tual refreshment from the presence of the 
Lord. His Spirit seems to have been abun- 
dantly poured out upon His faithful ser- 
vants. 

Here for several days a most interesting 
series of services took place, with sermons, 
and addresses, and reports from foreign and 
native ministers and assistants. It was with- 
out doubt the most memorable occasion in 
the history of the mission, and one fraught 
with the richest spiritual blessings. 

To Mrs. Hoffman it was the fulfilment of 
long-cherished hopes, the answer to unwea- 
ried prayers, the accomplishmet of her heart's 
most earnest longing, the crowning blessing 
of life. She felt that she had not lived in 
vain ; all her sacrifice in coming to Africa 
appeared now infinitely lighter than ever; 
she had been permitted to see Ethiopia 
stretching out her hands unto God, and a 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 201 

native African ministry going forth with 
apostolic zeal to the evangelization of their 
countrymen. 

How precious to the Christian to trace the 
wondrous instrumentality by which this great 
blessing was imparted. While the Church 
at home was mourning over the death of the 
Rev. Robert Smith as the loss of one so gift- 
ed, so holy, and so admirably fitted for his 
work, little could we have imagined that out 
of this sad event God was to work for Africa 
inestimable good ! Yet all the surviving 
missionaries agree in tracing this great work 
to the instrumentality of his death. 

Among the few precious letters of Mrs. 
Hoffman which yet remain to us, is one de- 
scribing the services of the Convocation, 
which is full of holy joy and gladness. 

"Rocktown, Monday, August 13. 1855. 

""Would, dear sister, that pen and ink 
could enable you to take the cup of joy which 
is now filled to the brim for us ! How would 
you rejoice that your sister is honored to 
witness the fulfilment of the promise in 
which we trusted before we came ! 



202 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

"On Thursday, the 9th, our Convocation 
met ; and as it was to meet here, we gladly 
made our arrangements to accommodate our 
friends. Bishop Payne and Mrs. Payne came 
on Thursday evening. That evening we had 
a sweet service, in which the Bishop urged 
our seeking by earnest prayer the presence 
of the Holy Spirit in all our assemblings. 

"After service we had supper, and after 
that the rest of the evening was spent in re- 
lating the work of the Lord at Cavalla, and 
at Dima Lu, a town three miles from Cavalla. 
Mr. Scott came up Friday morning. 

"At 7 o'clock Friday Messrs. Gibson, Har- 
ris, Jones, Bedell, Boyd, Humphries, May, 
and Robinson, all native youths, held service 
for the people. At 11 we gathered in our 
sweet little chapel, and Mr. Hoffman preached 
the Convocation sermon. 

"Friday afternoon, at 6, we again assem- 
bled in the chapel ; and after a hymn, and 
prayers by Mr. Gibson, the Bishop read his 
report, and was followed by Mr. Hoffman. 
Then Mr. Boyd, a native, who has charge of 
Fishtown, related in Grebo his report. Be- 
dell, who is with us, gave his report in cor- 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 203 

rect English. He was followed by Mr. Scott. 
Harris, who lives at Cape Palmas, and teaches 
the native school, read an English report and 
then spoke in Grebo. Rev. C. F. Jones re- 
lated his labors in English, followed by 
Humphries, from Taboo. Valentine, a brick- 
maker, told us in broken English how he had 
stood by the kiln and preached Christ. 

" The hour of 9 was passed, when the Bi- 
shop rose and said he felt that he could say, 
like Simeon, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy 
salvation I ' 

"It was a quarter past 10 o'clock when we 
returned to our home, after singing in con- 
clusion the hymn, i Go preach my gospel, 
saith the Lord,' etc. "Words fail to tell how 
our hearts burned within us. The day long 
looked for and prayed for has come. The God 
who never failed to answer prayer has heard, 
and His Spirit rests upon our people, begin- 
ning by reviving the good work in the hearts 
of the native Christians. There was no feel- 
ing of weariness during the four hours we 
were together. The earnest tones of the 
young men, as they told of their labors and 



204 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

God's blessing upon them, roused all our 
warmest gratitude, that we had lived to hear 
them speak thus. 

"Had all the pain and weariness of a hun- 
dred lives been felt in mine, I would welcome 
them, to have witnessed such a scene. 

" Saturday morning a business meeting 
was held, in which plans were devised for fu- 
ture usefulness. 

" Sunday morning, at 7 o'clock, Harris, 
Boyd, and Bedell called the people together, 
and talked to them. Harris is a candidate 
for orders. 

"At 11 o'clock the people came together 
again. Two persons from the school were 
baptized; the Bishop and Mr. Hoffman 
preached, and for two hours the people lis- 
tened. In the afternoon Confirmation was 
held ; in the evening, a sermon again by the 
Bishop ; and now this evening we have all 
separated, strengthened for our work, and 
blessing God for what we have seen and 
heard." 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 205 



CHAPTER XXL 

LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. — CONTINUED. 

" I have not the heart to tell you of any- 
thing else than this good work. You will 
rejoice that for six weeks we have all kept 
well. Our little Kate has grown fat, and is 
full of play; she sits in her iron chair and 
eats rice like a rice-bird. 

The house we are in is not large, but is in 
good order, and looks very sweetly. I have 
white curtains in my room, white and blue 
in the parlor, white in the stranger's room, 
and white and pink in my closet and study. 
Not anticipating certainly coming here, we 
made but little provision for the table. We 
have a fine garden ; beans, corn, tomatoes, 
and egg-plants are abundant. Oleanders are 
on every side of us, of the size of peach-trees. 
A young colonist, studying for the ministry, 
lives with us, and aids us in trading with 
the natives. So far we have been able to get 



206 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

fowls; but fowl money (tobacco) is nearly 
out, and we shall be in some trouble if the 
Estelle does not bring tobacco, 

" I am able to do more for the people than 
ever before; I am happy to find that my 
Grebo is understood. Now that Convocation 
is over, I have begun a regular course of du- 
ties, which sickness only will interrupt. The 
people were not allowed to come near the 
house before we came, and they look strangely 
when we meet them kindly ; so that when I 
give one of the head women a snuff-box I 
gain the good-will of many, and thus am 
able to speak to them as a friend. 

"At one of our convocation-meetings reso- 
lutions were passed to send a memorial home, 
showing the opening of the field, and the 
need of laborers. You will probably see it 
published, as well as many of the incidents 
connected with the recent converts. Sixty- 
five persons knelt at communion last Sunday 
at Oavalla — old men and young men, doctors 
and women, no longer Satan's servants, but 
freemen of the Lord. 

"We think that some are serious here. 
To-day, a doctor went to get medicine in the 



LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 207 

bush, and the devil came on him (as he said) ; 
he returned, foaming and screaming;, and toss- 
ing about his body ; but the people threw him 
into the sea, which is their mode of driving 
the devil away ; and told him they wanted no 
more doctors. 

"Dear D and L will rejoice with 

us, as well as our band of Christian friends ; 
but none can realize our feelings. "We feel 
that God's presence is with us, and with that 
we want no more. Our Bishop's sojourn with 
us was most blessed. He attributes to Mr. 
Smith's death, under God, this general awa- 
kening. 

"Where are you now, dear sister, and how 
are you ? May you be strengthened to bear 
bodily pain, and may you have abundant con- 
solation in your soul !" 

Alas ! when this was written, that loved sister 
was beyond the reach of human sympathies, 
and at rest. On the first of July, she fell 
asleep sweetly in Jesus, a child of God, sanc- 
tified by affliction, and meet for the society 
of the just made perfect. ]Sot yet had the 
tidings reached Mrs. Hoffman. Soon after 
the delightful services recorded above, indeed 



208 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

on the very day her letter was written, she 
was taken sick with a more than ordinarily 
severe attack of African fever. On her re- 
covery, little Kate was also attacked with the 
same disease, and for a time was dangerously 
ill. 

August 30th, Mrs. Hoffman writes, alluding 
to this : — 

" My Dear M . 



" God hath spoken gently and in love since 
I last wrote, bidding me fix my heart on Him ; 
and while discharging the duties He appoints, 
to seek a meetness for His presence. My 
clear little one has been very sick with the 
acclimating fever. God's goodness so ordered 
it, that her old nurse was with me at the time, 
and her presence was a great comfort to me. 
Kate had not seen her for six weeks, but re- 
membered her, and was so happy to be with 
her. Her fever lasted nearly forty hours, 
without intermission, and left her so weak, 
that we watched by her side for two days, 
doubting whether she would survive. She is 
now recovering her strength and color, and 
is a dear companion to me. Mr. Hoffman is 
well, and constantly occupied. He is kept in 



LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 209 

great peace amidst the various duties of the 
station. 

A paragraph in a letter at this time reveals 
the anxiety often endured by our faithful mis- 
sionaries, from the want of a generous and 
liberal support on the part of the Church at 
home : — 

" The want of (missionary) funds at home 
causes us greater embarrassment than can be 
understood at home, and also many careful 
but not anxious thoughts, for we know the 
work is not ours, but God's. The natives at 
home do not understand how there can be 
want of means in a country like America. 
The prayer needs to be literally offered, 6 Give 
us this day our daily bread ! " 

In the midst of all their anxieties and trials 
from sickness, they were blessed with great 
spiritual blessings in beholding the work of 
the Lord prospering in their hands. 

An extract from Mr. Hoffman's journal at 
this time describes a scene of deep interest, 
when we remember that those who were par- 
ticipants in it were but lately under the do- 
minion of the most degrading superstition : 

" August 31st. — We had a most interesting 
14 



210 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

meeting, this evening, of all our native com- 
municants. The Sunday following, the Lord's 
Supper was to be administered, and I invited 
the communicants to the Mission House for 
religious worship, and to partake of an even- 
ing meal. Having assembled, we sang a 
hymn. I told them something of the ancient 
Agapce (or feasts of love), and we knelt in 
prayer. I read a chapter in the Bible, and 
exhorted to love, and faith, and good works ; 
read also a letter giving an account of the 
interest in religion among another part of the 
tribe ; a native Christian offered a prayer, 
and we sang a hymn, rising at the doxology. 
Our table, having been previously arranged 
in the room, a few plain dishes were brought 
in, of which we sat down and partook, as 
being the blessing of our God. Our cheerful 
meal finished, all parted in peace and good- 
will. These meetings are monthly. At the 
Bishop's station they have been held for two 
years, with good results. They tend to unite 
the native Christians and us altogether, and 
promote peace and love. If natives eat to- 
gether, it is proof that there is peace between 
them." 



LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 211 

On the 7th of September, there was an ar- 
rival from the United States, bringing the 
first tidings from home Mrs. Hoffinan had 
received since her departure. It was her cus- 
tom always, while in Africa, when letters ar- 
rived, before opening them, to kneel and ask 
in prayer, that she might be prepared for 
whatever sad message they brought. These 
letters bore to her the intelligence of the de- 
cease of her loved sister, and she thus writes, 
on the receipt of them, to her dearest friend, 
who had ministered so faithfully to her sister 
during the last days of her life : — 

Rocktowx, Sept 12th, 1855. 

" My Dearest D . 

" On the evening of the 7th, your letter 
came. Mr. Hoffman and I knelt, and asked 
for grace to say, 'Father, Thy will be done/ 
before we read it. 

" Though I knew my precious sister could 
not long continue with us, yet, while she was 
spared even in weakness and suffering, it was 
a comfort to me. There is now such a void; 
for years, sister has been in my prayers, and 
now to feel that she needs them no more 



212 LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 

(while I rejoice that she is taken from so much 
suffering) brings a feeling of loneliness. But 
I shall not mourn for her long. Soon, very 
soon, will we be re-united, where our Elder 
Brother hath eternal mansions for us. 

"What thanks ought we to give, that God 
so sustained my darling one ! She seemed 
hardly like herself, so marvellous was the 
work of grace. You were privileged to be 
with her, and to receive her parting kiss. It 
is a comfort to me to know 7 she had your lov- 
ing care, and that every comfort was provided 
for her. I do not fear for the children : w r e, 
as orphans, proved the truth of God's pro- 
mises, in answer to our dear mother's pray- 
ers, and so will Mary and Willie. 

"It was the day before we anchored at 
Cape Palmas, while we were arranging our 
things, and saying, ' to-morrow — to-night, 
we will be there,' that my beloved one en- 
tered into her eternal home, from whence she 
will go no more out. We have had sorrow 
and sickness — our little Kate and myself 
have neared the entrance to our beloved one's 
abode ; but God had work for us, and restored 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 213 

us. She has been praising, without weari- 
ness, Him who hath loved her, and washed 
her from her sins in His own blood. 

"I had trusted that she would have re- 
ceived my letters, telling of the work of grace 
progressing here. But, surely if the angels 
rejoice over repenting sinners, do not also the 
spirits of the just ? And as one and another 
of our people have confessed Christ, has not 
dear sister tuned her harp to rejoice over 
those for whom we are laboring ? 

" I thank you for telling me so much of 
her last days. Every word is precious — I 
treasure them to help my own heart, and to 
show my little one, if she lives, to know her 
loss. Her last words to me are indeed pre- 
cious. Oh ! that they may be written on my 
heart, and sanctified to me and mine ! 

" I feel that it is good for the heart to be 
chastened ; in our multiplied duties the world 
and Satan would strive to hold us, and our 
Father in compassion helps us on our way. 

Brother B will need an Almighty arm 

on which to lean, and I trust he will place 
his whole confidence there, that he may real- 



214 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

ize that ' perfect peace' which sister told 
him of. 

" To all who were kind to my dear one, 
remember me with love. Oh, what links 
have we to draw us heavenward ! May we 
feel this to be only a sojourning place ! 

" Tell me of anything you remember of 
dear sister; you know how the heart clings 
to the earthly memory. Kiss the dear chil- 
dren. If I live I will write to them, and 
daily are they in our prayers. 

"Love and peace from God be with us, 
support us, and lead us to himself. 

Two days afterwards, she writes to another 
friend; showing that, amidst many severe 
trials, her heart was deeply enlisted in her 
work. 

"Rocktown, September l^th, 1855. 

"Dear Mrs. M.: 

" God has testified of His love towards us 
since we parted from you. 

"My husband and Miss Williford have 
written to you, but I think you have had no 
letter from me. I devoted all my time for 
writing to my precious sister, hoping to com- 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 215 

fort her in our absence by tidings of God's 
blessings on us. I knew not she was in her 
Savior's bosom, counting the sufferings of the 
past (and they were great) not worthy to be 
compared with the glory she enjoys. She 
was my last near relative. Our family in 
heaven is now complete ; and when the Mas- 
ter calls, if any thought save that of Jesus 
can enter the mind, I may look for my greet- 



" Mrs. Payne mentions in a note, i that 
little Blanche has gone to her mother.' My 
own little darling has been so near the grave 
that I can better realize Mr. Hening's loss. 
I do not doubt that God will comfort him, 
for I well know that none other can. 

" Our little one's acclimation was very se- 
vere ; two days she seemed waiting for God's 
word for life to cease. He dealt gently with 
us, showing us her frailty, and then bade 
health return, and we rejoiced over our re- 
stored one as a second gift. 

" Though outwardly we have not been 
without trials, yet God has poured out His 
Spirit so abundantly that we are rejoicing 



216 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

more than sorrowing. Mr. Hoffman never 
replies to my inquiry whether he has had a 
pleasant time at his afternoon preaching- 
places, without telling me of attentive con- 
gregations, comfort in his own soul, and some- 
times of serious inquirers. How Miss M's 
heart would warm to go with her sisters at 
Cavalla to the houses of the native Christians, 
and listen to their cheerful trust in the one 
true God ! " 

The journal of her husband during this 
month contains the record of many facts con- 
firming her report, and evincing the abun- 
dant prosperity of the work of the Lord in 
their hands. 

On the 6th of September, at the usual mis- 
sionary meeting at the station, the native 
Christians agreed to assist in the support of 
G. W. Hutchings, a native youth from Rock- 
town, to live among his own people and 
teach them the gospel. One youth, a school- 
boy not receiving any salarj^, went to the 
bush and gathered a bundle of rattans, which 
he split and offered for sale, and gave the 
proceeds, nine cents, for the work of God. 



LIFE AT ROCKTOWN, 217 

And a poor blind boy, who received but six 
shillings a month, wanted to give a portion 
of this for the spread of the gospel. 

Will not these rise up in judgment to con- 
demn many in a Christian land who give but 
grudgingly of their abundance to bear the 
tidings of mercy to a vast continent shrouded 
in midnight darkness ? 

Sunday, the 9th, Mr. Hoffman baptized 
four persons, all of whom gave most delight- 
ful evidence of the renewal of the heart by 
the Holy Ghost. 

Monday, the 17th, three native men ex- 
pressed to him their desire for baptism. One, 
the son of the head man of the town, had 
three wives, but was willing to relinquish two 
of them and join the people of God, 

Sunday, the 23d, he preached at Fishtown 
to 250 people under the shade of spreading 
trees. Two were candidates for baptism. 

An incident occurred at this time which so 
strikingly illustrates missionary life in Africa 
that we have given it a place. 

" On the 25th of September a native was 
taken sick and died on the road. His corpse 
was brought to the town, and the bearers of 



218 LIFE AT ROCKTOWN. 

it struck against the house of his brother. 
This was an indication that the brother had 
caused the death by witchcraft. The man 
thus accused (Torobo) was one of considera- 
ble influence; and knowing the consequence, 
he fled to the mission-house for protection. I 
found him in the parlor ; and descending the 
stairs, observed a crowd of men (the soldiers) 
rushing into the house, and with angry words 
and fierce looks demanding the man. Be- 
lieving he was innocent, and unjustly ac- 
cused, and having sought my protection, I 
was not willing to give him up to what I be- 
lieved would have been certain death, so in- 
censed were the people against him. So, 
although the lower room was full of men de- 
manding his surrender, with the assistance 
of some native Christian youths and two na- 
tive friends, we stood at the foot of the stairs 
and kept them down. They feared to use 
violence ; and finding us resolute, they gra- 
dually left the house, and we barred the 
doors : they continuing, however, to make a 
great noise outside. Gradually they went 
away ; and we, supposing we would not be 
further annoyed, were taking dinner, when 



LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 219 

guns were fired near the house, and the crowd 
approached again, bringing the corpse with 
them. Those who carried it pretended that 
it would not pass the house; so it was 
brought in the gate, carried violently about 
and round the house, and struck against one 
of the pillars. 

" I had barred the doors, and we continued 
our dinner ; the people still making a great 
noise outside, and demanding the man, to 
give him sassa-wood. The poor man was a 
a good deal frightened, as well he might have 
been ; for death seemed very near. I told 
him to prepare for it ; to repent of his evil 
ways, and seek pardon through the blood of 
Jesus. He seemed affected by the conversa- 
tion, and knelt in prayer. After about half 
or three-quarters of an hour, the corpse was 
carried away, the people gradually left, and 
the sisters and brothers, wives and children 
of the man stole in to see him. I would 
gladly have been rid of him ; but it w r as 
thought best for me to keep him over night, 
as the people would watch for him in all 
quarters. Towards evening, however, one of 



220 LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 

the head men came to take him away to 
Middletown, the soldiers having consented 
that he should go there to drink it. The 
man being willing to go, I gave him up, and 
with no little satisfaction saw him depart." 

Two weeks after, during service on Sun- 
day, Mr. Hoffman heard that the people were 
engaged in giving sassa-wood to Torobo. In 
order to clear his character, and prove his in- 
nocence of the crime of witchcraft, he had 
twice drank sassa-wood of his own accord at 
Middletown, whither he had fled. He now 
returned with a proud heart, and called the 
people to witness to his innocence. 

" When I heard of this," says Mr. H., " just 
at church-time, I sent Bedell to expostulate, 
and beg of them, in my name, to observe the 
Sabbath. They refused. The town was full, 
the church empty. We were sitting at din- 
ner when we heard the bitter cries of a w t o- 
man, as she was hastening to a town beyond 
us. What we thought might have occurred 
had happened ; Torobo had drank the sassa- 
wood, and it had killed him, We could not 
but exclaim, ' Is not this the hand of God V 



LIFE AT ROCK TOWN. 221 

This man had been solemnly warned; the 
wickedness of his having gree-grees had been 
shown him, and acknowledged by him ; and 
yet, though perfectly aware of the sacredness 
of the Sabbath, he polluted it with coming to 
drink sassa-wood on it." 



(17) 



222 GATHERING CLOUDS. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

GATHERING CLOUDS. 



< All sorrow ought to be Hein-weh" (home-sickness). 

German saying. 

"'I know,' is all the mourner saith, 

* Knowledge by suffering entereth, 
And Life is perfected by Death ; — 

I am content to touch the brink 
Of pain's dark goblet, and I think 
My bitter drink a wholesome drink. 

I am content to be so weak ; 

Put strength into the words I speak, 

For I am strong in what I seek. 

Glory to God — to God,' he saith 

* Knowledge by suffering entereth, 
And Life is perfected by Death.'" 



Our records concerning Mrs. Hoffman's 
life from this period become very meagre. 
]STo letters have come to us in the period from 
September 19th to January 16th, 1856. This 
is doubtless easily explained. The whole of 
the interval was one of sickness and suffering. 



GATHERING CLOUDS. 223 

She seems to have been fully aware that her 
life was drawing rapidly to a close. On the 
19th of September, she writes : — 

" Life's sands run more rapidly here than 
in healthier lands ; and when the Master calls 
me, I know that there are multitudes of loved 
ones to greet me." 

During the month of October, she was 
prostrated by a severe attack of inflammation 
of the lungs; and after a partial recovery 
from this, symptoms of consumption began 
rapidly to manifest themselves. The months 
of October, November, and December, were 
passed in her home at Kocktowm ; but now 
the providence of God kindly prepared for 
her another home, where the trials of sick- 
ness might be better soothed by the presence 
of a skilful physician, and the kind offices 
of many Christian friends. 

During the latter part of December, the 
Eev. Mr. Scott, feeling that his impaired 
health required a change of climate, left Cape 
Palmas, accompanied by his wife, for Rio de 
Janeiro, bound to the United States. In con- 
sequence of Mr. Scott's departure, the Bishop 
appointed Mr. H. to reside at the Orphan 



224 GATHERING CLOUDS. 

Asylum, with the supervision of St. Mark's 
church, the natives of Cape Palmas, and the 
two stations of Rocktown and Fishtown. 

On the 1st of January, 1856, they removed 
to their new residence, and in a few days 
were joined by Miss Alley, who had the chief 
charge of the children of the institution. Of 
these there were seventeen, and, besides the 
boarders, twelve day-scholars. The health 
of Mrs. Hoffman was too feeble to allow her 
to take any part in the schools. From this 
place she writes : — 

Orphan Asylum, 
Cape Palmas, January 6ik, 1856. 

"My Dear D . 

"It w r as with great joy that we received 
your letters about the last of December. The 
English papers told us of the yellow fever in 
Norfolk, in October, and I was most anxious 
for you all. How many dear friends have 
been taken ! But I look for more judgments. 
God grant that we may be found faithful. 

" The dear children are in my heart, and I 
was so glad to know that they still kept sister 
in remembrance. 

" I cannot write much to you, dear D , 



GATHERING CLOUDS. 225 

for I have been laid aside from work, with 
many symptoms of my lungs being affected. 
It commenced with an attack of pneumonia, 
but my cough continues, with much pain in 
my side, loss of blood from coughing, frequent 
fevers and profuse perspirations. 

" Could you see me, I think you would be 
struck with my likeness to clear sister. 

" You see we are in another home. I have 
been unable to pack anything, but we are 
moving by degrees. Miss Alley, a most lovely 
and efficient sister, has the entire charge of 
the institution. 

" I have been in bed nearly all the time 
that we have been here ; but Miss Alley comes 
to my room, and we arrange our plans ; and 
sometimes there is writing to be done, which 
I do, as I am now writing this, lying in bed. 

" We are, you know, living in the colony, 
and my neighbors are very kind. Hearing 
that my appetite was not good, they have 
been sending me milk, with nice bread and 
butter. Our flour and butter are out ; and 
owing to the want of funds at home, the Sec- 
retary could not send our supplies for some 
time. 

15 



226 GATHERING CLOUDS. 

" My dear husband feels anxious about me, 
and amid his many duties, finds time to pro- 
vide many comforts for me. Then Miss Alley 
is one of the kindest, warmest-hearted of 
friends. The Doctor here has been able to 
relieve me often, and now we live quite near 
him. Kate has frequent chills, and I have 
had to leave her very much to others." 

Shortly after this letter was written, she was 
called upon to bear a heavy sorrow, but which 
was afterwards regarded, both by herself and 
husband, as an act of loving-kindness from 
their merciful heavenly Father. Her little 
Eate, now at a most interesting age, and who 
had been to her a source of such unfailing 
happiness, amidst the trials and privations of 
a heathen land, was suddenly removed by 
death on the 1st of February. 

This deep affliction was thus noticed by 
Mr. Hoffman, in a letter to the Secretary of 
the Foreign Committee, dated 

" Orphan Asylum, 
"Cape P almas, February ith, 1856. 

"My Dear Brother. 
"A few days ago, I wrote to Mr. Irving, 
not late enough, however, to tell him of our 



GATHERING CLOUDS. 227 

affliction, in the loss of our clear little daugh- 
ter, Kate. To us she was most suddenly 
called away by Him who loved her, and took 
her to Himself. She had been uncommonly 
well until within two days of her death, 
when she had fever, apparently light as in 
her previous attacks. On the third day, how- 
ever, in the afternoon, she was taken with 
spasms, which continued till half-past ten 
o'clock at night, when her spirit was released, 
and joined the redeemed ones in the heavenly 
kingdom. 

"She was buried on Saturday at Mount 
Vaughan. The Rev. Mr. Eambo and Mr. 
Gibson performed the service. The Bishop 
was too unwell to come up. Though our 
little one was each day more precious to us, 
my dear wife bears up wonderfully under the 
trial. She herself is exceedingly unwell ; a 
severe cold, taken three months since, has 
settled on her lungs, and she has a cough and 
other symptoms, which cause me to fear she 
is about to follow her dear sister by the same 
way to the celestial city. She is scarce able 
now to leave her bed without assistance, but 
is cheerful and resigned to God's holy will." 



228 GATHERING CLOUDS. 

We can well understand how the afflicted 
mother could bear so cheerfully the loss of 
her precious child. She felt deeply conscious 
that the sands of her own life were fast run- 
ning out, and could but rejoice that her little 
one should pass before her into the heavenly 
home. 

It was a grievous trial to her, that her own 
exceeding feebleness rendered it impossible 
for her to minister to her child during its last 
illness. 

The picture drawn in the following letter, 
written but ten days before her own decease, 
of the sick mother, dragging herself from her 
sick room to the side of her dying child, to 
watch its closing breath, and imprint a part- 
ing kiss upon its lips, is one which must touch 
every heart. March 13th, she writes (and the 
very writing exhibits traces of great weak- 
ness : — 

"Many days, all of sickness, since I wrote, 

dear D . It has been our Father's will 

to take our little lamb into His own arms. 
She had been severely taken with fever, and 
was threatened with convulsions. On the 1st 
of February, at 3 P. M., one of these came 



GATHERING CLOUDS. 229 

on ; and gathering from the noise that some- 
thing had happened, I crept to Miss Alley's 
room, and saw my darling one in great agony. 
Too weak to sit up, they laid me where I 
could watch her, and her father and Miss 
Alley miuistered to her. I think she was 
unconscious, although her groans were dis- 
tressing. 

"About 10 o'clock she seemed easy, and 
in a little while they led me to kiss the silent 
lips of my first-born and only one. 

" Sweet it is to us that her first words were 
spoken in heaven's language ; for she never 
talked on earth. God's sustaining grace was 
granted us, and we thanked Him that our 
babe was in His arms. We have had much 
joy in her. 

"I cannot write more of her; for since 
then other symptoms connected with my 
cough have reduced my strength to almost 
nothing/ ' 



230 THE CLOSING SCENE. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE CLOSING SCENE — THE GATE OF HEAVEN 

"And friends, dear friends, when it shall be 
That this low breath is gone from me, 

And round my bier ye come to weep, 
Let one, most loving of you all, 
Say, 'not a tear must o'er her fall ; 

He giveth His beloved sleep.'" 

It was now the season of Lent ; a time 
which had ever been very dear to her since 
she first consecrated herself to Christ. It 
was the period when, in her home in Nor- 
folk, she was accustomed to look for a special 
blessing on the Church, and upon her own 
soul; and in Africa its return was ever 
greeted with joy. Though confined to a 
sick-bed, she was not without many spiritual 
comforts; the word of God was more than 
ever precious to her heart, and in the quiet 
of her own chamber she enjoyed fellowship 
with the Father and with His Son, Jesus 
Christ. Nor can we doubt that sweet fore- 



THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 231 

tastes of heaven were granted her, and that 
bright anticipations of re-union with her lost 
loved ones often cheered the hours of bodily 
depression. 

On Sunday, the 9th March, she received 
for the last time, from her husband's hands, 
the memorials of her Savior's broken body 
and shed blood, soon to drink it anew in her 
Father's kingdom. 

Saturday, 15th, Mr. H. records in his jour- 
nal, " Mrs. Hoffman too ill for me to be long 
absent from her. She herself has little anti- 
cipation of prolonged life; she rejoices in an 
assured sense of her acceptance with God, 
through Jesus Christ." 

The last words from her pen were written 
Monday, 17th of March. After sending mes- 
sages of love to all her dear friends at home, 
she adds, " I have said but little of our work, 
as, with the few we have left, we can only 
keep up old works. The Committee tell us 
to stop some of these, for want of means. It 
is hard to have this added to our other trials. 
Miss Ball returns home, on account of sick- 
ness. Dear Mrs. Eambo's loss was a great 
one ; she was so efficient, and so sweet a 



232 THE CLOSING SCENE. 

Christian. But we know God rules, and out 
of this cloud will yet bring light." 

So true to the last did her heart beat with 
deep affection and firm faith towards the 
great work to which she had consecrated her 
life. Two days after the above was written, 
"Wednesday, 19th, Mr. Hoffman says, in his 
journal, 

"As the physician advised my not being 
absent from the house, the usual lecture for 
the day was omitted. In conversing with 
Mrs. H., who had been suffering extreme 
pain, she said she was full of sin ; but lifting 
her eyes, and with a smile, exclaimed, 'His 
righteousness ! covered with the role of His 
righteousness ! ' 

"Good-Friday. — A night of pain to the 
sufferer, but sustained by Him 'who had 
wonderfully led her all her life long,' 'in 
which she beheld herself as nothing, and 
Him as everything.'" 

"Saturday, 22cl March. — Mrs. H. able to 
speak but little, yet her thanks and prayers 
ascend: 'I thank Thee, O Father, for the 
means of relief afforded. May I glorify Thee 
by life or by death ! ' " 



THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 233 

This was Easter Even. One more night 
alone intervened before an Easter morning 
whose sun should not go down, and of which 
"the Lamb is the light and God the glory." 

Who would not rejoice to die on that blessed 
day on which Jesus rose, the first fruits of 
them that slept ? This favor He showed to 
His sanctified one, who now prayed, " even 
so come, Lord Jesus." 

The history of that closing scene has been 
written by the one most deeply afflicted, in a 
letter to the writer of these pages, which we 
now subjoin. 

" Orphan Asylum, Cape Palmas, 
"March 25, 1855. 

" Eev. and dear Brother : 

" To you, who were chosen of God to be 
the blessed instrument of bringing the glo- 
rious light of the gospel of Jesus to the 
knowledge of my beloved wife, must I now 
relate the circumstances of her happy depar- 
ture to Him. 

" It occurred on Easter morning, the 23d, 
at twenty minutes past 9 o'clock. Peaceful, 
joyous, she fell asleep in Jesus. 



234 THE CLOSING SCENE. 

"You know that on our arrival we were 
appointed to take charge of the station at 
Rocktown, where we settled the 18th of July. 
Mrs. Hoffman and our little daughter both 
had rather severe attacks of fever; from 
which, however, they entirely recovered. It 
was in the month of October that Mrs. Hoff- 
man took a severe cold, which gradually af- 
fected her lungs, and terminated her life by 
consumption. 

"But God was very, very gracious to her, 
and to me also. The departure of Eev. Mr. 
Scott for America made it necessary for us to 
leave Rocktown and to reside at the Asylum. 
This at the time was a subject of regret; but 
it was plainly the path of Providence, and 
therefore cheerfully followed. 

" But what mercy was in it ! Here she 
had an airy and comfortable room, very kind 
friends and neighbors, and the attendance of 
a physician, who was enabled to afford her 
great and frequent relief. Moreover, soon 
after our departure from Rocktown, war broke 
out between the Cape and Rocktown natives, 
and intercourse was in a great measure 
stopped. Under such circumstances, without 



THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 235 

a female friend, or means of hearing from 
the doctor, or opportunity of getting many 
necessary things in her sickness, how much 
she might have suffered! How very kind, 
then, in our Heavenly Father, to bring her 
here and give her all these comforts ! 

" She oftentimes thought that her sickness 
might end in death, but not one shade of 
trouble or anxiety did it cause her. Her 
little lamb had been gathered to the Savior 
on the 1st of February ; it was another love- 
token from 4 her Father/ to gather it first and 
then to call its mother ; and so she felt it. 

"A few days before she died, as in the silent 
watches, we talked together, she spoke of 
herself as a sinner, ' nothing but sin ;' she felt 
the effects of evil habits in youth, but all co- 
vered, fully covered in the robe of the right- 
eousness of Jesus. 

"Always has she retained a sense of accep- 
tance with the Father, through the merits of 
the Son ; never have I known doubts of this to 
cloud her spiritual vision. 

" The last night of her suffering she was un- 
able to lie down in bed, and was supported 
by pillows. At 5 in the morning, I assisted 



236 THE CLOSING SCENE. 

her to the rocking-chair, where she was more 
comfortable. She was in pain, and oppressed 
for breath, and I sent for the physician. Mean- 
while I sat by her side, repeating to her pas- 
sages of Scripture and portions of hymns, 
w r hich refreshed and strengthened her soul. 
Sweet smiles, amid her agony, enlightened 
her countenance. 

" The physician came, and she inquired how 
long it would be ere she would depart ? When 
told 'not long,' she smiled for joy, and said, 
' Doctor, you have been kind to me, but Jesus 
kinder.' 

" "When pain caused her brow to contract, 
and her countenance spoke the agony of her 
body, she prayed to be released — ' Father, 
take Thy child,' was her simple, childlike 
prayer. And again, strengthening herself in 
the Lord, she said, in the midst of suffering, 
' Thy will be done, but oh ! the flesh is weak.' 

" I said to her, ' Darling, is your trust in 
Jesus V and, with a smile and voice of firm- 
ness, she replied, 'In Him alone.'' I asked 
her if she had any message to her friend, Miss 
D , and, with a smile of sweet remem- 
brance, she said, ' Love ' — 'to all ' — ' at Ca- 
valla' — 'Annie.' 



THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 237 

" I asked (not that I doubted, but to receive 
her dying testimony) if she had any regrets 
for coming to Africa, She turned half to- 
wards me, and with a smile almost of reproach, 
said, ' Oh ! no — never ! ' 

" She had expressed, during her sickness, 
some fears of the pangs of death, but none 
of her acceptance with God ; yet the Lord 
was very gracious to her, and her sufferings 
were not protracted. Once in her pain, she 
said, 'It is so wearisome,' but added, 'I will 
bear it.' I reminded her of the more bitter 
cup that Jesus had drank for her, whose suf- 
ferings and death we had been at this season 
contemplating, and she remembered them, 
smiles mingling with expressions of submis- 
sion to her Father's will. 

"To a female friend, who had been very 
kind to her, in sending comforts in her sick- 
ness, and whose soul is much exercised in the 
things of God, she sent a message, saying, 
'Tell her she must meet me.' At a later 
period of quiet, she said, 'I do not suffer.' 

" As her dissolution approached, I asked, 
' Is all well ?' ' Yes ' — (with a sweet smile) — 
< Joy '—and still later, < Is all well V and ' Yes,' 
with a smile of triumph. 



238 THE CLOSING SCENE. 

" Afterwards followed these broken sen- 
tences : ' Love to the Bishop ' — ' Love to Miss 
Alley ' — c of our work ' — i the Lord reign- 
eth,' perhaps remembering how few remained 
to perform the work. 

" As time grew short, I leaned to kiss her, 
and said, ' Farewell, my blessed one,' and she 
kissed me. Then she fell into a sweet sleep, 
resting her head against Miss Alley. The 
servants gathered around her, and for half an 
hour, while her breath was shortening, she 
slept quietly ; then opened her eyes, and cast 
them round her, and slept again. Her breath 
returned at increasing intervals. It ceased — 
without a struggle — she slept in Jesus. 

"We knelt beside her, and thanked our 
Father and Jesus, and the blessed Spirit, for 
the grace and loving-kindness granted to our 
best beloved. 

" Our good Bishop came up in the evening, 
and, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Gibson, con- 
ducted the service at 10 o'clock the next 
morning. Sweet were his words of her, and 
solemn his address to all. 

" Eight natives, with white clothes, carried 
her body to the burial ; behind them walked 



THE GATE OF HEAYEN. 239 

the orphan children ; friends and mission 
scholars followed. She was buried at Mount 
Vaughan, by the side of her little Kate. 

" Of earthly friends, my dear Brother, none 
beside her husband, were more beloved than 
you, because the joyous news of salvation 
was by you imparted to her; and for you and 
yours her prayers were ever offered. 

" God dealt very graciously with her; and 
she confessed that she seemed nothing, and 
He everything. She was like clay in the pot- 
ter's hands. She ever rejoiced in her mis- 
sionary work, but regretted that she had not 
been more faithful in it. 

" Thus, my dear brother, receive the record, 
and bless God for His w T ondrous grace. Oh ! 
what a mighty Savior — what a loving Sa- 
vior is Jesus ! May He be with us, make 
us more faithful and zealous in His service, 
that we may win such souls to Him, to swell 
His praise forever ! 

"I remain your brother in Christ, 

" C. C. Hoffman." 

Thus passed from earth to heaven this 
saintly spirit. Not yet twenty-four years of 
age, her earthly life completed ; and of that 



240 THE CLOSING SCENE. 

brief period, more than five years spent in the 
blessed work of winning the heathen to the 
knowledge of Christ. Who does not feel that 
it was a life well and nobly spent — a life 
complete and whole — a life whose sublimest 
object w r as achieved ere its brightest morning 
hour was spent? "Her sun has gone down 
while it was yet morning;" but early death 
is no cause of regret to a life thus glorious. 
Henry Martyn closed his career at the age of 
thirty-two, and Harriet Newell at the earlier 
period of nineteen, yet their work was done ; 
and hereafter, to many hearts the name of 
Virginia Hoffman will be deemed worthy to 
be enrolled by the side of theirs, and of that 
glorious company who, having turned many 
to righteousness, shall shine as stars in the 
firmament forever and ever. 

Within an iron enclosure, at Mt. Vaughan, 
two green mounds are seen : roses and lilies, 
acacias and geraniums, mingle their odors 
and drop their leaves. The birds find a rest- 
ing-place on the white tomb-stones, to sing 
their morning and evening carols. 

It is a spot of peace and beauty. The iron 
gate is unlocked, and the flowers may yet 



THE GATE OF HEAVEN. 241 

give place to the green mounds of the dead. 
We draw near and read — 

"SHE SLEEPS IN JESUS." 

THE GRAVE OF VIRGINIA HAVISIDE HOFFMAN, WIFE OF THE 
REV. C. C. HOFFMAN, MISSIONARY OF THE 
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
OF THE U. S. AMERICA. 
AFTER PATIENTLY AND JOYFULLY LABORING THREE YEARS 
AND SEVEN MONTHS IN THE MISSIONARY WORK, 
HER HAPPY SPIRIT ROSE ON EASTER MORN- 
ING, 23d march, 1856, to him who 

CLOTHED HER WITH HIS SPOTLESS 

ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 

AND IN WHOM 

"ALONE SHE TRUSTED." 

SHE WAS BORN IN GLASTONBURY, CONN., AND FINISHED 

HER WORK, AT THE AGE OF 23 YEARS AND FIVE 

MONTHS, AT THE ORPHAN ASYLUM, 

CAPE PALMAS. 

DID SHE EVER REGRET LEAVING HER NATIVE LAND, TO 

LABOR FOR JESUS AMONG THE HEATHEN? 

"o! no! never!" was her dying 

TESTIMONY. 

On the other tomb-stone is this inscription : 

"HE TOOK THEM UP IN HIS AKMS." 

THE GRAVE OF KATE SETON HOFFMAN, 

INFANT DAUGHTER OF 

THE REV. C. C. AND VIRGINIA H. HOFFMAN, 

WHO DIED AT CAPE PALMAS, 

FEBRUARY 1, 1856, 

AGED 2 YEARS AND 7 MONTHS. 

16 



242 IN MEMORIAM. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

IN MEMORIAM. 



"Break, break, break, 
On thy cold gray stones, sea! 
But the tender grace of a day that is dead 
Will never come back to me." 



The sad event cast a deep gloom over the 
surviving members of the mission. The faith- 
ful missionary Bishop felt that he had lost 
one of his most efficient co-laborers, and the 
heathen, too, dropped their tears over her 
grave. 

Very many hearts were filled with sorrow 
as the tidings reached her native land. The 
Church grieved the loss of so devoted a ser- 
vant, and many were the kind words spoken 
of the departed, and of her faithfulness even 
unto death. 

Said one of our Church papers : " Our worst 
fears have been realized. It is with intense 
pain we learn from the Qavalla Messenger, of 



IN MEMORIAM. 243 

the death of this saint of God. And yet for 
her we cannot mourn. With her it was 
peace — the sweetestpeace and most blessed as- 
surance. For her we do not and ought not to 
mourn. We sorrow for the work she has left 
behind unfinished. We grieve with our bro- 
ther, who is left to tread life's journey alone. 
We sympathize with the other missionaries, 
who thus see their companions falling at their 
side. But we know that Jesus lives. The work 
is His. He is its Head. He in His own time 
will put down everything that exalteth itself, 
and opposeth Him. Soon there will be peace 
throughout the earth. Every kingdom and 
tribe will belong to Him. The workmen die : 
but the work goes on — will go on — must 
go on. 

" Mrs. Hoffman, as if typical of her blessed 
end, and what was to be revealed to her, 
died on Easter morning. She was buried on 
March 24th, and there she will lie until the 
Eesurrection. And then? And then for 
ever with the Lord ! " 

The Foreign Committee of the Board of 
Missions of our Church thus appropriately 



244 IN MEMORIAM. 

recorded its sense of her value to the mission 
and the loss to the Church. 

" The Sub-Committee on the African Mis- 
sion, in presenting a report to the Foreign 
Committee, beg first to notice the sore afflic- 
tion which has fallen upon that mission in 
the death of Mrs. Hoffman, wife of the Rev. 
C. C. Hoffman, and his faithful fellow-laborer 
in the work of giving the gospel to the hea- 
then. 

"Little more than twelve months since, Mr. 
and Mrs. Hoffman, with their only child, 
were with us in health, and surrounded by a 
large circle of loving kindred and friends. 
None who saw them then, and heard them 
speak of the joys of a missionary life, and 
listened to the expressions of their earnest 
desire to return to the scene of their labors 
in Africa, can fail to have been convinced of 
the singleness of purpose and heartiness of 
devotion with which these servants of the 
Lord Jesus Christ had given themselves to 
the work. Had they been mindful of earthly 
comforts surrounding a home in this country, 
to none were these more freely proffered ; to 
none could they have been more abundantly 



IN ME MORI AM. 245 

secured. But any gain so obtained they 
would have regarded as a grievous loss; 
counting the service of Christ amid the hea- 
then of Africa greater riches than all the 
treasures of their native land. 

" Now your missionary stands alone ; wife 
and child are laid in the grave. 

"Is the question asked, how does his faith 
bear the shock ? His letters answer, it is un- 
shaken ; and the reason is plain — he endures 
" as seeing Him who is invisible." Calm and 
undismayed, and with a spirit evidently the 
abode of peace and of patient acquiescence, 
he gives us, the very day of his wife's depar- 
ture, the particulars of her last hours. Bless- 
ed confidence, this, in the goodness and faith- 
fulness of God, and a striking testimony of 
the value of the Christian's hope. 

" In view of these facts, the Sub-Committee 
offer the following resolutions for adoption by 
the Foreign Committee : 

"Resolved, That it is with deep sorrow the 
Committee have received intelligence of the 
death of Mrs. Hoffman, at Cape Palmas, 
West Africa, on the 23d of March last ; sor- 
row, however, not unminglecl with joy, inas- 



246 IN MEMORIAM. 

much as the Committee have received with 
this intelligence the dying testimony of the 
departed of unshaken confidence in the work 
there undertaken, and of her rejoicing to the 
last, in that she had been permitted to labor 
therein. 

"Resolved, That the faith which, amid the 
heaviest afflictions of sickness, bereavement, 
and death itself, has sustained the missiona- 
ries in Africa, and led them to urge on the 
prosecution of the work, should in like man- 
ner sustain the hearts of the Committee, and 
of the Church generally, and lead to more 
vigorous efforts for the extension of the Re- 
deemer's kingdom, and especially in the mis- 
sionary field of Western Africa. 

"Resolved, That the Committee desire to 
give expression to their sympathy with their 
beloved missionary, the Rev. Mr. Hoffman, 
in the heavy trials to which he has been 
called; and in doing so, they cannot but re- 
cord their sense of the goodness of God and 
the power of Divine grace in sustaining and 
cheering the heart of his servant in the dark- 
est hours of adversity. 

"Resolved, That the reduction of the num- 



IN MEMORIAL 247 

ber of laborers in Africa, by death and re- 
moval, may well excite solicitude on the part 
of the Committee and the Church, and lead 
to more earnest supplication to the 'Lord of 
the harvest to send forth laborers into His 
harvest.'" 



248 PROGRESS OP THE MISSION. 



-CHAPTER XXV. 

PROGRESS OF THE AFRICAN MISSION SINCE THE 
DEATH OF MRS. HOFFMAN. 

We have thought it would be appropriate 
to add to this Memoir a condensed sketch of 
the history of the mission since the decease 
of Mrs. Hoffman. 

It is indeed painful to begin that task by 
the statement that up to this time of writing 
(September, 1857) so few laborers have stepped 
forward to take the places of the fallen mis- 
sionaries — to be " baptized for the dead." 

The Rev. Mr. Holcomb, a graduate of the 
Alexandria Theological Seminary, of the 
class of 1855, was appointed during that year 
a missionary to Africa, and sailed on the 14th 
of March, 1856, arriving at Monrovia on the 
8th of May ; at which place he met Bishop 
Payne, then on a visit to that station. 

The only appointment to the mission from 
this country in 1856, was that of Mr. W. A. 



PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 249 

Davies, of Baltimore, as business agent and 
teacher. 

In September, 1856, the mission was again 
called to mourn the loss of a valuable mem- 
ber. Miss Isabella Alley died at Cavalla, on 
the 29th of that . month, of consumption. 
"Moved by the Spirit of God, Miss Alley 
left a comfortable and beloved home in King 
George County, Virginia, in October, 1855, 
to join the mission at CapePalmas." Though 
her career of service was short, yet most 
faithfully did she perform her part. Her ef- 
forts for the conversion of the heathen were 
evidently blessed of God, and these gathered 
about her tomb to mourn her early loss. She 
was buried at Cavalla, by the side of the 
Eev. Robert Smith, who had accompanied 
her to Africa, and passed before her to his 
rest on high. 

Yet, amidst losses, sorrows, and sickness, 
the work of God went on ; and the year 
1855 was a year memorable for the tokens of 
God's favor upon his servants' work. Fifty 
converted heathen were during that year 
added to the Church. The Cavalla Messen- 
ger, of January, 1857, thus sums the results 



250 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 

of many years' unwearied labor for Christ 
and the salvation of the heathen : 

" ' Ebenezer ! hitherto hath the Lord helped 
us,' 

"It is just nineteen years, last Christmas 

day, since the Rev. Dr. Savage formally 
opened the mission at Mount Vaughan, in 
the only building connected with it, and this 
but half finished. 

" On that day, only about half a dozen com- 
municants, if so many, were in connection 
with the Episcopal church. Since then, 
c through the good hand of our God upon 
us,' the mission has established permanent 
stations, of greater or less efficiency, at four- 
teen different places, amongst colonists and 
natives. 

"It has expended for churches, mission- 
houses, and school-houses, a sum not less 
than one hundred thousand dollars. In the 
day and boarding schools sustained by it, not 
fewer than three thousand children and adults 
received the rudiments of a Christian educa- 
tion. 

"From six, the communicants, partly now 
living, partly dead, foreign, colonist, and na- 



PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 251 

tive, have numbered at least three hundred. 
The number at the present time is two hun- 
dred and forty-one. The blessed gospel is 
preached regularly to four colonist congrega- 
tions, and in some twenty different native 
tribes, and to a hundred thousand people. 
There are now, including the Orphan Asy- 
lum, seven commodious mission-houses, three 
churches completed, and a fourth nearly so, 
two being of stone, one brick, and one wood, 
besides one very superior school-house, and 
several more indifferent, for natives and colo- 
nists. 

"A more sufficient cause of thankfulness 
still is to be found in the number and charac- 
ter of the schools connected with the mission. 

" The High School and Female Day School 
at Mount Vaughan, the Orphan Asylum at 
Harper, the native schools atFishtown, Rock- 
town, Cape Palmas, Cavalla, Hening Station, 
Rockbookah, and Taboo, the Boarding and 
Colonist Day Schools at Bassa Cove, the Fe- 
male High School at Monrovia, and Native 
Boarding School and Colonist Day School in 
Clay Ashland, give evidence of earnest and 
well-directed efforts to diffuse Christian in- 



252 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 

struction throughout the bounds of the mis- 
sion. 

"And these institutions, with the precious 
fruits yielded by them, and the stations with 
which they are connected, the children and 
youths instructed, the souls converted to God, 
the colonists and native ministers, and teach- 
ers, and assistants raised up, the grace given 
to those who labor, and to the Church in the 
United States which sustains the laborers — 
all these are our precious Ubenezer-stones — the 
monuments of God's presence in the past, 
and pledges of His blessing in the future. 

"Among the tokens of God's favor among 
the mission, we have to notice a remarkable 
work of grace among the children of the Or- 
phan Asylum at Cape Palmas. 

" This was first discovered by the Kev. Mr. 
Hoffman, on the 31st July, 1856, and conti- 
nued to progress with encouraging indica- 
tions for many weeks. With regard to six 
of these, whom he was preparing for confirm- 
ation and the holy Communion, Mr. Hoffman 
writes, under date of 11th August, 

" ' The whole demeanor, expression, and 
conversation of these children indicates the 



PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 253 

greatest sincerity, and gave the sweetest as- 
surance that the work is the work of God. 
Whose else can it be ? See ! He removes my 
beloved wife, and they no longer have her 
influence or instruction ; then He takes their 
faithful teacher, and leaves them without a 
female instructor; and then, when I am 
alone, — yea, even when I am away, — He 
works in them ! Even so, Lord, be Thine all 
the praise, for ever and ever.' " 

It is gratifying to know that this good 
work still continues. In a letter from the 
Rev. Mr. Hoffman, of the date of April 27th, 
1857, he says, 

"At the Orphan Asylum the lambs are 
being brought to the Good Shepherd. Yes- 
terday I baptized a very promising girl, about 
ten years of age, whose life shows a renewed 
heart — Catherine JSToel Johnson." 

The present year has been one marked by 
the excitement of war around the Mission ; 
but this has not hindered its spiritual pros- 
perity. In the beginning of the year, an un- 
fortunate conflict arose between the colonists 
n the Maryland settlement and the native 
tribes. During some of the skirmishing which 



254 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 

took place, the Mission buildings at Mount 
Vaughan, the first established in the Mission, 
in 1836, were destroyed by fire, by some of 
the natives. The Cape Palnias natives after- 
wards expressed their regret and shame at 
this deed, and said it was not done by their 
authority, but by the caprice of some indi- 
viduals. 

God has overruled this event, however, 
for good. The Maryland Colony, for its bet- 
ter protection from the violence of the native 
tribes, has been annexed to Liberia ; and the 
Church at home has already contributed over 
six thousand dollars to replace the buildings 
at Mount Vaughan, and to repair the losses 
of the missionaries. 

Eighteen months* have elapsed since the 
death of Mrs. Hoffman, and a year since the 
removal of Miss Alley ; but as yet no addi- 
tions have been made to the reduced band of 
laborers. Still do they press on undaunted 
in their assaults upon the kingdom of dark- 
ness. Nor do they toil in vain. Each arrival 
from the Coast of Africa brings more cheer- 
ing tidings. Bishop Payne, under date of 
April 23, 185T, says : — 

* This was written a year ago. 



PROGRESS OP THE MISSION. 255 

" God's special blessing appears to have 
rested upon the efforts of our beloved brother 
Hoffman, at Cape Palmas. At the convoca- 
tion just held in St. Mark's church, at Easter, 
thirty-one persons were confirmed, and two or 
three others were prevented by sickness from 
coming forward. Since that time he informs 
me that others have expressed their desire for 
confirmation. Our beautiful little St. Mark's 
is now becoming too small for the congrega- 
tion attending it. 

"At this station (Cavalla), the congregation 
continues to average 200 to 250, and within 
the past nine months, sixteen adult heathen 
have been baptized into the Church's fold. 
Others are hopeful candidates." 

Without doubt, however, the highest result 
of the mission is the raising up of our Af- 
rican ministry to take the place of the fo- 
reign missionaries. Besides three colored 
colonists who are now ordained missionaries, 
two native clergymen and seven native teach- 
ers are proclaiming to their countrymen in 
their own tongue the wonderful works of 
God. Through these, and others ivho are yet to 
follow, Africa is to be evangelized and re- 
deemed. 



256 PROGRESS OF THE MISSION. 

Since the last paragraph was written, God 
has raised up other faithful laborers for the 
field, willing to be baptized for the dead. 
While the mission has been called to mourn 
the sad loss of Mrs. Payne, and the return 
of Mr. and Mrs. Scott to the United States, 
it has been cheered and strengthened by eight 
others, some of whom are at this time upon 
the wide ocean, speeding their way to the 
land of darkness and spiritual death. May 
their example call forth others, who will count 
not their lives dear unto themselves so that 
they may preach among the heathen "the 
unsearchable riches of Christ ! " 



THE END. 



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